Before Midnight, 2013.
Directed by Richard Linklater.
Starring Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy, Seamus Davey-Fitzpatrick, Ariane Labed and Athina Rachel Tsangari.
SYNOPSIS:
We meet Jesse and Celine nine years on in Greece. Almost two decades have passed since their first meeting on that train bound for Vienna.
“You are the mayor of Crazytown, do you know that? You are!”
At the end of 2004’s superb sequel Before Sunset, we left Celine (Julie Delpy) and Jesse (Ethan Hawke) in Paris on emotional and physical tenterhooks. Would they/wouldn’t they ever see each other again? And if they ever did, would true love reign supreme, or would they have flitted away into a different life, and different story than the one they had so intimately shared on those two days in 2004 and 1995? Before Midnight, the third of the Sunset story, rekindles the romance, but is hardly the happily-ever-after you may be expecting.
Coming off of a hugely successful and critically acclaimed run at Sundance and other US festivals earlier this year, Before Midnight reunites the aforementioned Hawke and Delpy with director and co-creator Richard Linklater as they move another 9 years down the line in the life of loveable lovers. There was some skepticism amongst fans as to whether a third chapter was needed, but thankfully any doubts are crushed within the first 20 minutes, with one glorious, mesmerising shot that lasts for a beautiful 10 minutes, that sums the movie, and indeed the series perfectly.
The continuation of the story relocates to Greece, where Jesse and Celine, now married with twins girls, have taken an extended holiday with friends in the beautiful mountains of a small Greek town as they try to agree on their next move. Jesse wants to head back to the US to be with his estranged son, who he now sees ever less frequently; Celine wants to stay in Paris where a new job, and a more stable life awaits. Both are fighting their corner, and it takes a harsh re-evaluation of their relationship, and their love for one another, to come to any sort of resolution.
What has always separated the Before series from other romantic films is it realism; the harsh, unflinching rawness of relationships and men and women is never more evident than when Delpy and Hawke really get to go at each other. And Midnight is no different. It has become such a joy to see Delpy and Hawke just talking to each other, whether scripted or not, that it’s always a great mystery why they both haven’t been used to their fullest potential outside of the series. But they are perfect partners here, as actors and writers/improvisers, and even with the film opening up the world around them with other minor characters (another superb long scene is around a dinner table with three other couples of varying ages and relationships), it is they who demand your full attention.
Linklater too has produced some of his best work of his career here. Fittingly following the underrated Bernie, his long, almost muted direction is perfectly focused, as he and DoP Christos Voudouris take in some wonderful imagery from the Greek Islands, whether at a dinner table or walking through a flowing mountain top. In fact, even in one of the final scenes in an average looking hotel room, it’s in that stillness and patience that they commit arguably the best scene of the series, just by letting Delpy and Hawke be there, in the moment.
Before Midnight could well turn out to be film you don’t see this summer. Buried between men of steel, iron, adamantium and fast cars, it may be a treasure hunt-like pursuit to track this one down amongst the big hitters. But the hunt if worth every second spent, as it’s truly a wonderful experience. Full of wonderful imagery that could well be sunnier than anything in London this July, Before Midnight is a rare shimmering light of true brilliance that must be seen.
Flickering Myth Rating: Film ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ / Movie ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Scott Davis
Originally published June 19, 2013. Updated April 11, 2018.
