Review - Before Midnight (2013)

Starring Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy and Seamus Davey-Fitzpatrick.
Directed by Richard Linklater.

In the first two films of Richard Linklater's Before trilogy, we see how Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Celine (Julie Delpy) met and how their romance blossomed. In this final installment, Jessie and Celine are now married with twin daughters and again we delve into their personal life with rich conversations from start to finish.

The Before trilogy aren't your typical movies where there is a plot and we meet multiple characters throughout. The film focuses on only two people and how they connect. Director Linklater decided to switch it up a bit this time - well just a little bit. We see the two main characters interactions with other people in this movie and the dialogue was simply as encaptivating as ever. Afterwards the movie then focuses on Jesse and Celine, like in the first fims, and they find the most random shit to talk about. Nonetheless you become so engaged that you don't even realize that nothing much is going on. Quite frankly I was amazed by their chemistry. Even after nine years, the couple still has that fresh and lovely bond that made me a huge fan from the start. How often can you watch a movie that features just two people talking the entire duration and not get bored? Well that's Richard Linklater's Before trilogy for you!

Before Midnight is dialogue-driven romance. The script is fabulous and the performances are even better. In this movie, we get the same light-hearted dialogue; even though the conversations gets a little more serious between Jesse and Celine towards the end. In reality, every relationship has their challenges and that becomes highlighted in Before Midnight. It gives us a realistic look on random challenges that may arise in any relationship and how one can try to overcome. Of course, the leads do a solid job in selling it - you could literally feel the emotions flying. I praise Richard Linklater for this romance trilogy because not only am I drawn to their random conversations, I felt inspired and entertained in the most simplest way. 

Yeah so Before Midnight is a worthy and satisfying conclusion. I wouldn't say it is the best of the pack but it is amazing nonetheless. I'd love to see a fourth film where Jesse and Celine are in their old age.

Rating: 9/10



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