Before Midnight – Sweet and Sour
Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy in Before Midnight Photo by Despina Spyrou, Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics
Before Midnight is the third installment of the complex romantic Trilogy: Before Sunrise (1995) and Before Sunset (2004), created by Richard Linklater. With a recent Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay and multiple awards in 2013, IFQ’s Briege McGarrity was looking forward to revisiting the lives of star crossed lovers Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Celine (Julie Delpy) to see if they still have chemistry.
Now in their early 40’s, we discover that Jesse and Celine have been together for years and raising beautiful twin daughters. Infatuation and the thrill of rendezvous have long gone and in its place mid-life challenges and angst. Early in the film, the couple, who are nearing the end of a family vacation in Southern Greece, have a prolonged conversation during a car ride. The authentic acting and fast-paced dialogue, all in a single shot sequence, holds our attention. The couple have built a life together but have hit a rocky patch and begin to have doubts about a long term commitment.
The sharp performances and well-crafted script by Linklater and his two leads, is once again, a successful collaboration. Prickly topics of conversation are Celine’s career crossroads, domesticity, their boring sex life, Jesse’s teenage son from his marriage that ended acrimoniously because of Celine, infidelity and divorce. In the film’s best scene, the couple have a nasty showdown in a fancy hotel room on a night away from the kids. The fight highlights misunderstandings, underlying resentfulness, insecurities and proof that familiarity can breed contempt. Celine even admits she doesn’t think she loves Jesse any more.
Not all talky, the film features a bucolic surroundings, wonderful fresh cuisine, good wine, walks along cobbled streets and stimulating chat about love and technology among other topics back at the villa. Seamus Davey-Fitzpatrick (Moonrise Kingdom) as Jesse’s teenage son and Walter Lassally, as a writer and hospitable owner of the bohemian villa, both turn out good performances.
During this three act play of sorts, it sometimes feels like the couple’s incessant talk and fight fest is self-serving and perhaps just to keep their relationship interesting. Celine comes off as neurotic and sarcastic where Jesse is somewhat egotistical and maintains an air of coolness.
Before Midnight is the most intense of the trilogy and viewers will identify with it. It is an exploration of love and has a clear message that even the most passionate relationships can get stale. While Delpy and Hawke still have a strong rapport, I don’t think Before Midnight will pick up the Oscar. After all 12 Years a Slave and Philomena are both nominated in the same category. It’s a bit too much of a gabfest and the lack of sparky romance as compared to previous “Before” films may disappoint. Will there be a 4th installment? (Before Midday perhaps) or enough already?