BEFORE MIDNIGHT - TRIBECA REVIEW

BY MATEO MORENO

Director Richard Linklater teams up yet again for the third go around with Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy to tell the ongoing story of Jesse and Celine.  The characters first caught our imagination 18 years ago in Before Sunrise and we watched them fall in love aboard a train and spend the most romantic evening ever together.  Then 9 years ago they returned to the screen in Before Sunset telling what had happened since then (romantic longings, a very popular book, and ended with one of the most perfect endings to an American film in...well, ever).  We now catch up with Jesse and Celine in their 40’s, together and living in Greece with two kids of their own, twins (he did indeed miss that plane...).  When we begin, Jesse is saying goodbye to his son from his first marriage, who has stayed with them all summer in Greece.  He longs for more time with his son and wishes that he and his ex-wife got along better (she kind of hates him for falling in love with the exquisite Delpy).  Celine has just received a great job offer but before she can bask in it, she feels Jesse is pushing for them to move to the US.  She doesn't want to give up the career that hasn't even begun yet, or that she even knows if she quite wants yet.  And so starts the fascinating walk and talk that this couple has done twice before.

Director Richard Linklater has again served up a beautiful film, and the location of Greece makes for a fantastic backdrop (Cinematographer Christos Voudouris does gorgeous work here).  The script, written once again by Linklater, Hawke, and Delpy, is poetic and beautiful, haunting and sad.  It always feels real and never forced or strained for belivability.  Hawke and Delpy have created two characters that you would spend a lifetime with (and hopefully we will, as the trio has said they'd love to continue telling these stories every 9 years).  Both Hawke and Delpy are relatable and real and their performances are filled with all the beauty and pain that relationships bring.  There are also, for the first time, several supporting characters in this chapter, who all shine and hold their own memorable moments (the group dinner scene is sublime).  If you don’t get a chance to catch it at the Fest this year, it opens in the US next month.  Poetic beauty.  A waltz even.

VERDICT: MUST SEE

Written by Richard Linklater, Julie Delpy, Ethan Hawke Directed by Richard Linklater Starring Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy, Zenia Kalogeropoulou, Ariane Labed, Athina Rachel Tsangari, Seamus Davey-Fitzpatrick Language Primarily English Content Disclaimer (Adult Situations, Adult Language, Nudity)  For ticket and screening information: http://tribecafilm.com/festival/tickets

BOTTOM LINE: A third film that bucks the trend of three being too many.  This is a perfect third helping.

GREETINGS FROM TIM BUCKLEY - TRIBECA REVIEW

BY MATEO MORENO

Now available on VOD and rolling out into theatres next month, Greetings From Tim Buckley follows musician Jeff Buckley (Penn Badgley, light years away from his time at Gossip Girl) as he travels to New York City to be part of a tribute concert for his father, the late singer Tim Buckley.  Jeff didn’t know his father, having only met him twice, but is drawn to the concert as sort of a way of letting go, of saying goodbye to a life that he never knew and to a man who unknowingly passed his musical gift onto his son.  There he’s drawn to a young intern named Allie (Imogene Poots) and through her friendship he finds another wandering soul he can attach to.

Director Dan Algrant has crafted a quiet and moving film here, showcasing the up and coming talent of Jeff and the beauty that his father was able to craft in his songwriting but not in his personal life.  It’s a delicate piece, and Badgley’s performance showcases it quite nicely.  His quiet intensity is compelling, and damned if his singing voice doesn’t remind you of Jeff’s own unique, falsetto heavy charm.  It’s truly a breakout performance, one that I hope doesn’t go unnoticed.  Poots is charming and vibrant as the girl of Buckley’s own eye, and the film’s flashbacks to Tim’s own life (here played with an innocent glee by Ben Rosenfield) are a moving companion piece to Jeff’s real “coming of age’ story.  The film itself moves like a song on Jeff’s own album “Grace;” quiet and unassuming and sparkling with an intense wonder.  Hallelujah, here he comes.

VERDICT: MUST SEE

Written by Daniel Algrant, David Brendel, Emma Sheanshang Directed by Daniel Algrant Starring Penn Badgley, Imogen Poots, Norbert Leo Butz, Ben Rosenfeld, Isabelle McNally, Kate Nash Language English Content Disclaimer (Adult Situations, Adult Language)  For ticket and screening information: http://tribecafilm.com/festival/tickets

BOTTOM LINE: A beautiful dive into the live of a pre-fame Jeff Buckley.

THE BROKEN CIRCLE BREAKDOWN: TRIBECA REVIEW

BY MATEO MORENO

Easily my favorite film of the festival so far, The Broken Circle Breakdown is based on the play of the same name by Johan Heldenbergh and Mieke Dubbels.  It follows the love story of Elise (Veerle Baetens) and Didier (Johan Heldenbergh).  She’s a local tattoo artist and he plays Banjo in an American Bluegrass band.  They fall for each other instantly and Elise gives birth to a daughter Maybelle.  But their lives take many unexpected twists and turns, as tragedy often interrupts their romance.  Shot out of order, Director Felix van Groeningen presents one hell of a romantic tale here that will have you swoon with romantic longings, break your heart with tragedy, and have you tapping your foot to the amazing music (and eventually your finger as you download the soundtrack right after).

Baetens showcases amazing range as Elise, a woman who has her head firmly in reality but embraces her whimsical side as well.  She’s also open to faith, something her love is not (his problems with religion are just the tip of the iceberg with him).  Her presence is striking; sleek blonde hair, tattoos covering her body, and a sweet singing voice that goes down like honey.  She keeps you on her side, cheering for her successes as well as cringing at her failures.  Heldenbergh is wonderful too, giving a subtle, gentle giant feel to the banjo playing, love sick fella.  He wears a scraggly beard and dances around the hospital when his daughter is born.  He falls instantly for her (and she for him) and the love seeps out of the characterization.  So it’s all the more frightening when he explodes with anger and frustration towards the latter half of the film.  His singing voice is gentle and loving, and both actors show a true affection and dedication towards each other.  Complementing the duo with tenderness is young actress Nell Cattrysse as their daughter Maybelle.  Her sweetness and innocence sparkles the scenes around her, and she breaks your heart seven ways before the end.  Bring an entire box of tissues and be prepared to have your socks knocked off, because that’s what this breakdown will do.

VERDICT: MUST SEE

Based on the play by Written by Johan Heldenbergh and Mieke Dubbels Screenplay by Carl Joos, Felix van Groeningen Directed by Felix van Groeningen Starring Veerie Baetens, Johan Heldenbergh, Neil Cattrysse, Geert Van Rampelberg, Nills De Caster, Robby Cleiren Language: In Dutch & English with subtitles Content Disclaimer (Adult Situations, Adult Language, Nudity)  For ticket and screening information: http://tribecafilm.com/festival/tickets

BOTTOM LINE: A breathtaking, heartbreaking drama with glorious music to make it all go down better.