“Before Midnight” is the third installment in a Richard Linklater series that started in 1995. “Midnight” arrives in 2013; nine years after “Before Sunset” and eighteen years after “Before Sunrise.”
Watching “Midnight” without the benefit of the previous two films would rob one of its intended purpose. Understanding that it is the third film in a trilogy is important. “Midnight” is by far the weakest entry. Not to say it’s bad. “Before Sunrise” is a flawless film that made an immediate inclusion in my Top 100 list. Eighteen years later we continue the same story.
These movies work because we love the characters, and characters are all we have. Jesse and Celine are played effortlessly by Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy. We feel as though we know them personally; a testimony to how amazing the actors are. One of the earliest scenes will make you take note of Linklater’s writing and direction as we watch Jesse and Celine driving and talking for several minutes without anything else happening. The pair have such great chemistry together it’s one of the better pairings in the history of cinema.
“Before Midnight” is done in the same way as its predecessors. Linklater has his trademark slick and organic dialogue to propel the story. Too much plot reveal here would spoil the prior films. What works is the continuation of the lives of these same characters. Here, the backdrop is Greece. There’s love, passion, and imperfection as any relationship should have. 1995, 2004, 2013; It’s fun to check in on their lives once again in this two decade long reality show. I love that it’s the same two people, and we are literally watching them grow up together on screen.
Where the film takes a step back is the supporting cast. They are all excellent. The issue is, for the first time in the series, Jessie and Celine aren’t the only characters. While this is an organic change, it still takes something away.
“Before Midnight” is a solid movie. But it can’t stand on its own the way the original does. It’s the weakest of the series, and I still clamor for a fourth installment. That’s how good it is, despite the deficiencies. Watch the trilogy together as a perfect Valentine’s Day treat.
“Before Midnight” is currently available to watch on most streaming platforms .
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