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.
A unique cinematic experiment, Linklater’s trilogy of films may not yet constitute the last word about Celine and Jesse’s relationship, but they add up to one of cinema’s most exact, quietly perceptive and deeply profound meditations on the nature of love; pure joy to anyone with a romantic bone in their body.
Before Midnight still contains more shrewd and candid insights than many Hollywood midlife crisis dramas. Falling in love is easy. Staying in love isn’t just harder, it’s more complex. This film is as imperfect as any long-term relationship, but it makes Judd Apatow’s This Is 40 look like Terry And June.
It remains as engaging, illuminating, honest and funny as its predecessor; here’s hoping we revisit Jesse and Céline in another decade or so.
The performances and dialogue are wonderfully naturalistic; a reminder that the best special effects are often the cheapest.
As good as, if not better than, its predecessors.
This is a great end to the trilogy – if it is the end. As an organic experiment in collaboration between actors and director, it is a triumph, co-created and co-owned by Delpy, Linklater and Hawke.
A bit tarter than its predecessors, but not skimping on their woozy, chatty charm, this perfectly played, gently incisive film is a welcome new chapter in one of cinema’s most beguiling ongoing romances. See it with someone you’ve loved for some time.
Talky, but it's good talk.
Whether or not Jesse and Céline will be able to negotiate the difficulties of their relationship, Before Midnight will remain their most complex, mature and rewarding film.
At any rate, the more unlikeable Céline becomes, the more Delpy emerges as a vigorously intelligent player, and Hawke as an agreeable yeoman who's just about keeping up.
From the meaningless title to the faux naturalistic acting, to the cutesy meta-discussions about Jesse’s literary output, it feels a little forced. It’s heartbreaking, but for the wrong reasons.
Profile: Richard Linklater--director of Before Midnight
Before Midnight: Richard Linklater's search for a happy ending
Before Midnight: The latest instalment of a love story
Before Midnight: 'what grown-up romantics have instead of lightsabers'
General release. Check local listings for show times.
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