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.