Review of Before Midnight (2013) by Edward A — 26 Oct 2013

Wow, don't you just love it when there's finally a film that actually delivers on or exceeds your expectations? Before Midnight is that movie. I loved (how can I emphasize that more?) the first two (Before Sunrise and Before Sunset) so much so that I just couldn't wait to see the third installment, but there was that roaming thought of whether or not it could actually meet the quality of its predecessors. Frankly, there's so much to love in Before Midnight, and it's definitely one of the most interesting projects in cinematic history where we witness two actors aging together over two decades as each addition is produced nearly ten years after the prior one. It's an extraordinary experiment, and you just fall in love with the characters and acquire deeper knowledge of their complex personalities with every new chapter.

The acting is unlike that of any other films, but I'm absolutely picking Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy as one of my favorite, if not my absolute favorite, performances of the year. As usual, their performances are amazingly organic and natural while the chemistry in their relationship is matched by no other. By the time you're finished with all three films (or even finished with one of them), you'd think they're a couple in real life, but they're sadly not. It's not only their words but their physical responses (gestures, emotions, etc.) that create this sense that they truly know each other inside out. Honestly, if I find a woman half as astonishing as Celine, I'd be a lucky and happy man. She's an incredibly cute, intelligent woman with a sexy French accent that makes heavily interesting conversation- what else could be more attractive? Jesse (played by Ethan Hawke) is an equally lovable individual who possesses an equal amount of depth- the intellectual and wise-cracking fellow! There are countless pauses and particular mannerisms that create this natural and realistic atmosphere as if you're actually viewing someone else's life rather than just watching a theatrical production.

Now, I don't mean to sound condescending here, but it undoubtedly saddens me to see people (though they're obviously the minority) pan the film simply because it's primarily focused on dialogue/discussion. They're of the mentality that films have to contain consistent action and artificial relationships (that last one is more unintentional, of course), and I extremely hate the traditional mindsets that construct rules on how you write screenplays and structure your plots and stories. If cinema was as great and artistic as it was, there'd be no need for restricting visionaries to what they can and can't do. I believe that rigid standards and rules utterly cannot exist in the realm of art and storytelling. This is why we only encounter a unique and memorable film- any type of story form for that matter- every once in a while. These storytellers honestly don't care about what the bosses expect whether it's introducing a turning point exactly on page 22 in your screenplay or intentionally assembling a three-act film; it's typical, generic, and artificial at this point. With Before Midnight, there's never that hint of artificiality or inclusions of Hollywood archetypes and clichés. The viewers are basically transported into other people's lives- fully immersed- and that's essentially what stories are all about: leaving your irritating life to occasionally experience the fun and liveliness of another.

The script of this motion picture is so witty and genuine that I never felt boredom out of the constant reliance on talking. Their conversations are frequently fascinating, and I just hope that I can find someone, one day, who talks about various topics, philosophical, psychological or personal, rather than gossip and more bullshit. However, I found it slightly distracting how overloaded the film was with conversations about sex in its first half; it ruined the magic of the first two in a way (but that's obviously too strong of a word) because Sunrise and Sunset delved into deeper discussions instead of the annoying obsession with orgasms and blowjobs that Hollywood romantic comedies and movies, in general, encompass.

On another note, the cinematography can often be overlooked, but these three's excellence also stems from its visual presentation of beautiful European cities like Vienna, Paris, and Greece. You're perfectly welcome to enjoy the spectacular sights of these cities as they walk through them in real-time, debating about another compelling subject. So, when moviegoers complain about the lack of cinematic substance in these films, I can certainly refute by showing them these two sides- an immersive experience within a city, marveling over the numerous landmarks, and intriguing, spontaneous dialogue on the other side- or them both intertwining, more so. In addition, the authenticity of the film is greatly enhanced by the effective use of long takes (some lasting well over ten minutes) with that real-time factor in mind. As I kept on watching, I never wished for it to end because these vibrant personalities seriously engross you, and in my opinion, the enjoyment received from these films is indescribable. You're laughing along with the characters (whether through their teasing one another or unified laughter following a clever joke) or you're worried about a developing issue in their relationship and what will come of it. In sum, you're sensing these emotions and feelings as they're sensing them.

It can't be said enough, but this trilogy is unquestionably a rare feat, and I can't bear to wait another ten years for a sequel (these are one of those films where I hope the series will continue on forever and ever). Once I'm finished with the film, I can't stop thinking about it a day or two after and while I'm remarkably satisfied by the experience, I'm also upset about its conclusion. If only this were a TV series that I could return to every year, but that is unfortunately not the case here. Before Midnight is a must-see, and at the moment, it could very well be my favorite film of the year, no doubt about that. Very rarely do I finally reach a film that feels special, memorable, and fresh. I'm glad Before Midnight was that eventual encounter.