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Before Midnight starring Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy: The Sequel I’d So Wanted to Like

Posted on November 2, 2014 Written by Pinar Tarhan

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before midnight movie poster
Image via eksiil.net.

It’s essential to remember where we are coming from, and before diving straight into my review, I want to talk a bit about the two movies that came before. But you can head straight to the Before Midnight part if you like. Just scroll down a bit;)

Before Sunrise: A Romantic Haven for The Realistic Romantic

In 1995, Jesse and Celine met on a train, and connected like they haven’t connected with anyone. They were both cute, young (in their early 20s) and, as much as Jesse was more obviously so, romantic. They got along so well, in fact, Jesse didn’t want to get off at his temporary station in Vienna (he was flying back home the next day) so he persuaded Celine to get off with him and spend the day/night in Vienna (Before Sunrise). You can read a more thorough, spoiler-free review here.

Of course Celine and Jesse fell in love during their spontaneous and romantic day, and we fell in love with their story (as well as the city.) Now, I’ll spoil the ending, so you might want to avoid this post if you haven’t seen Before Sunrise.

Hell, you shouldn’t be here if you haven’t seen Before Sunset (sequel to Before Sunrise, which we’ll talk about shortly). But please do come back after you’ve seen it.

OK, so Before Sunrise has a semi-happy, semi-vague ending. Celine and Jesse agree not to exchange numbers or addresses (which is pretty dumb and naive, considering how they felt about each other), but to meet in Vienna in six months. They say their goodbyes and go on their separate ways. But don’t get me wrong, Before Sunrise is one of my favorite films, and I pretty much love everything about it.

Before Sunset: A Little Darker, More Realistic and Just As Good Sequel

Come 2004, we get Before Sunset, the sequel. This is where we are disappointed in the beginning to find out that that planned meeting never happened. Jesse has gone on to publish a bestseller about their day in Vienna, and is on a book tour in Paris, which is where Celine lives. Celine drops by at his book signing, and from then on, the movie is about them catching up 9 years later.

As they mostly walk around Paris, we learn what they’ve been up to. Professionally, they’ve chased their ideals. Romantically, they’re a mess. Celine is in a kind of relationship with a guy she doesn’t care much about. Jesse is unhappily married with a young son; he would probably have bolted if not for him.

Here, because they are in their mid-30s, things are, or at least seem to be, a bit bleak. And not just because of their current disappointing relationships, but because we learn they couldn’t meet at their designated time and that they still have feelings for each other.

The ending is still a bit vague, but basically, this time we kind of, sort of know they stayed together. OK, let me put this way: we guess they stayed together at that moment, but we aren’t sure if it lasted. Well, we weren’t sure for 9 years, until Before Midnight came out.

Before Midnight: Bleak, Hostile, Insensitive, Bitchy, Toxic – Is this the sequel about Celine and Jesse’s dumber, more aggressive and ultra insensitive clones?

I love Before Sunrise to bits, and in some ways, I love Before Sunset even more because it seems more realistic and sincere. It’s easy to relate to the disappointments and missed opportunities and what-ifs of being a grown-up.

The dialogue also sounds more natural than the first movie. Director/writer Richard Linklater, and co-writers/lead actors Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy have done splendid jobs capturing a genuine, second part of a love story.

Before Midnight has a lovely trailer. It looks like you’ll look into the marriage of one of our favorite couples in movie history, and what years have done to their relationship (we know it has been years because they have kids and they’re on vacation together as a family).

And it starts well enough: Jesse is at the airport saying goodbye to his now teenage son Hank who has spent the summer in Greece with them. Then it takes a while we can get some quality time with just Celine and Jesse. Sure, it’s just them talking in the car while their twin girls sleep at the back of the car but it’s more talking at each other and making jokes about their kids instead of really sharing – not the type of Jesse and Celine exchanges we’ve gotten used to. Yes, we get it. They are married. Things are different. But are you really ready for just how much things have changed?

Then they’re back around the writer’s residence, Jesse talking to his friends, and Celine helping out in the kitchen (Celine in the kitchen???) and then it’s everyone at the house having dinner together. The stuff our duo would discuss among themselves is discussed together here, where Celine does her usual (in this movie!) putting-Jesse-down routine.

So 35 minutes in, and they still haven’t taken a walk around town just the two of them.

OK, about 47 minutes in or so, we’re finally with the two of them, only their conversation revolves mostly around their kids, and Celine’s insecurities. There are some delightful moments and smiles, but it’s very limited.

After a few minutes of Before-Sunrisey moments, we go to the hotel Celine was so reluctant to go to, and all hell breaks lose. This is where the movie puts me further off long-lasting relationships and having kids. This where I say forever goodbye to the Celine and Jesse I know, wishing I can forget this movie, so that I watch the first two movies again, without being haunted by this one.

*

Remember that beautiful scene by the fountain, little after dawn, in Before Sunrise where Celine was talking about how she’d grow to love someone more after she has gotten to know them entirely…Well, turns out, she just grows to resent them. Yay! Celine is another woman who has grown to resent her husband who shockingly didn’t change at all.

Now, I’m not saying I’m super awesome and Celine’s a bitch. We all have our own demons, problems and neuroses. But Celine here is making me miss Ally McBeal; and at least Ally was likeable and well-meaning most of the time. And she was funnier than she was irritating.

Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t head over heels with Jesse either. The last thing I want is a guy with a bitchy ex-wife and a teenage son, who plans a whole summer according to his needs, doesn’t include loyalty in his definition of being fully committed and who openly checks out younger, perkier women who happen to be dating his friend!

It’s just that next to Celine, he wins the lesser of two evils award.

*

I’m not saying I hated it. It had its moments. It had the trademark gorgeous scenery of a foreign country. But it didn’t have passion or romance. It didn’t have faith in the relationship and love story we grew up to love. There was no respect on Celine’s part, and don’t get me started about their lackluster ideas of being fully committed to each other…

So to sum it up all three movies’ reviews:

During Before Sunrise, you want to be Celine or Jesse.

During Before Sunset, you hope you don’t miss out on chances, and you wish you have the guts to follow your heart if you do happen to miss out on chances. You still don’t mind being Jesse or Celine.

During Before Midnight, you just want to go to Greece.

*

And I really didn’t want them to stay together, because that relationship became as harmful as toxic waste. I’m not some naive romantic that expects everything to be perfect. But I do expect an insult-free, loyal, passionate and respectful relationship. Otherwise, what the hell is the point? Speed had more romance than Before Midnight, for crying out loud!

*

This is a good, decent, honest movie. It’s just a highly disappointing sequel.

Recommended Movies: Strangers Falling in Love in One Day 

Falling Overnight

Forget Me Not 

Monsters– with a sci-fi angle

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Filed Under: Movies and Actors Tagged With: before midnight, before midnight cast, before midnight movie, before midnight movie review, before midnight plot, Before Sunrise, Before Sunset, drama, Ethan Hawke, ethan hawke before sunrise, ethan hawke before sunset, Julie Delpy, Richard Linklater, romance

The Three Musketeers starring Kiefer Sutherland, Charlie Sheen and Chris O’ Donnell

Posted on June 2, 2010 Written by ripitup

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The Three Musketeers starring Kiefer Sutherland, Charlie Sheen, Chris O'Donnell, Oliver Platt, Rebeca DeMornay and Tim Curry

D’Artagnan (Chris O’ Donnell) is a young man whose father was one of musketeers protecting the king. Now he wants the honor of being a musketeer is well. Trying to shake off an idiotic guy and his brothers at his tail, D’Artagnan sets out to join the musketeers. What he doesn’t know is that the cardinal (Tim Curry) and his right arm Rochefort (Michael Wincott) have let all of them go as a war with England is approaching and they are all needed in the field to fight for France. Of course in reality, what the cardinal and Rochefort just intend to get rid of the king easily so that cardinal can take his place. What better way to leave the king unprotected? Of course not all Musketeers are that easily persuaded. The famous trio of Porthos (Oliver Platt), Athos (Kiefer Sutherland) and Aramis  (Charlie Sheen) will do what it takes it protect the king, even if it means they are declared outlaws. When D’Artagnan finally gets to his destination, he finds the musketeers gone and he doesn’t start off on good terms with the trio. But common purpose brings them together and a marvelously entertaining journey of love, friendship, comedy and adventure gets a kick start. Mind you, the movie gives us plenty of action and comedy from the very start, even before the trio becomes a quadruplet.

Now, I didn’t read the book. So I have no way of comparing the two. But I saw the movie and I loved it. It is one of the best period movies I have seen: It is a lot of fun with lots of action, comedy and just the necessary touch of romance. The setting and costumes look really good and all that sword-fighting and horse-back chasing show us a good time. Of course the fighting and chasing includes comedy as well as action. The musketeers all have distinct characters that make you either smile, grin or laugh.

The Musketeers

Porthos (Platt) loves a good time with drinks, women and fighting. He also has a good sense of humor.

Aramis (Sheen): He is a little religious- he does pray after the people who he kills. As Athos puts it: “Aramis takes that very seriously”. But religion doesn’t stand in his way when he wants to kick some serious butt, seduce women and/or get laid.

Athos (Sutherland): Athos comes with a complicated past. Although he loves a good laugh, duels and butt-kicking, he is emotionally scarred. And this scar adds a nice little touch and complication to the movie.

The Women

You might recognize the young queen (Gabrielle Anwar) from Things to do in Denver When You are dead (where the leading role was Andy Garcia’s) and For Love or Money (where she starred with Michael J. Fox). Julie Delpy is best remembered for her role as Celine in the lovely Before Sunrise and its sequel Before Sunset. They are both beautiful and although Gabrielle has a little more screen time, the girls are not seen that often. I had to pick, I’d have loved to play Rebecca De Mornay’s character Countess D’ Winter. After all as her character puts it, “she is dangerous”. De Mornay is a beautiful actress who was especially popular in the 90s. She definitely doesn’t mind playing the villain either. You might recall her thrillers The Hand That Rocks The Cradle or Never Talk to Strangers.

The Baddies

English Tim Curry makes a good villain and well, he is never boring. His most famous movie is probably the cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show. He didn’t exactly play a sweetheart in 2001’s Attila either. But of course if there is a guy who competes with Kevin Bacon in the number of playing villains, it is Michael Wincott. I would probably be shocked to see him playing nice. Do you remember what he was up to in The Crow? Or Robin Hood: The Prince of Thieves? Strange Days?  Seraphim Falls? Exactly.

So we have a great cast in a lovely period film with just the right ingredients. It is fun to see all these actors when they are so young. After all, it was 1993. And if you grow up in the 90s- I did- you might get the nostalgia you need.

Directed by Stephen Herek. Based on the novel by Alexandre Dumas père and written for the
screen by David Loughery. Rated 6.1 on IMDB by over 16,600 votes. Well, it might be a 6-7 movie but speaking in the entertainment level, it is a 10. Even the soundtrack rocks. After all the theme song All for Love is a duet performed by rocker musketeers: Bryan Adams, Sting and Rod Stewart.

Some Favorite Quotes/Moments:

Athos: (sees the cardinal’s men approaching) Only a fool will try to arrest us twice in one day.

Cardinal’s man: You are under arrest.

Aramis: Fool.

*********************

(Athos gets the brandy from Porthos for distraction. )

Porthos: What a waste!

**********************

One of the cardinal’s men says that they will arrest them but it will be peacefull if they won’t resist.

Porthos: Oh, don’t be so stupid. Of course we intend to resist! Give us a moment, alright?

On Chris O’Donnell:

NCIS Los Angeles

Mad Love

The Bachelor

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Filed Under: Movies and Actors Tagged With: Bryan Adams, Charlie Sheen, Chris O'Donnell, Gabrille Anwar, Julie Delpy, Kiefer Sutherland, Michael Wincott, Oliver Platt, Rebeca DeMornay, Stephen Herek, The Three Musketeers, Tim Curry

Before Sunset starring Ethan Hawke & Julie Delpy

Posted on October 11, 2009 Written by ripitup

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beforeSunset_Wall7_800
Before Sunset starring Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy

trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvFosXeqmDg

If you haven’t seen Before Sunrise, please do. I am not saying this sequel won’t make sense if you haven’t, but trust me it will be so much more meaning ful. You see, Before Sunset is the follow-up to Before Sunrise- a great emotional movie that took place in 1995. I previously wrote about the first movie. I have seen it a lot of times and after watching Before Sunset again,I felt I had to write about it.

I will feel free to give spoilers, because what might seem like a spoiler for the first movie, is actually the obligatory introduction to the second.

In Before Sunrise, we met Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Celine (Julie Delpy). These 20 somethings met on a train while French Celine was going back to her hometown and American Jesse was on his way to Vienna where he was supposed to catch a flight the next day to the States.
Soon after they started talking, they actually bonded. Yeah, they were having fun being around each other and obviously there was attraction but the bond was also obvious. Two stranger, making a perfect connection through a chance encounter. Jesse didn’t want to let go of this and asked Celine to get off the train with him. She did. And they had an amazing day, and its night in Vienna. The bond got deeper, attraction grew and they just didn’t want to let go. To see how genuine the movie,the characters and the story go, to feel the passion and the magic of their relationship, you have to see the movie. And feel free to check imdb. It has been rated by more than 34.000 people, and it has been rated as an 8/1o. My point is if so many people agreed on this, it means both men and women liked it. It means a lot of people with different movie tastes loved it. It can’t be labeled as a mainstream movie nor it exactly fits the independent spirit where a minority seems to get the message of. It means the viwevers felt the connection as well and this does not happen very often.

So when I heard director Richard Linklater had made a sequel, I rushed to see it. You see Before Sunrise leaves you wondering whether Celine and Jesse will meet again. Whether they will have the same connection or not. The second movie answers these questions for the two characters we loved so much.

Celine and Jesse had agreed to meet 6 months later as Before Sunrise came to an end. We sadly find out that they weren’t able to. Somehow life had gotten in the way. In those 9 years, Jesse has written a book that is about their encounter. He is now at the last stop of his book tour, in Paris. As he hopes that she would, she comes to his book signing.
When she does show-up, they decided to spend Jesse’s last hours in the city together. They are both happy to see each other. So much has happened and they are more than eager to catch up. But since they are older, they seem weary of life, the heart-breaks and disapponitments they have gone through. They realize the connection is still there 9 years later. But now, things seem harder than ever. Jesse is i unhappily married with a 4-year-old kid. Celine’s hear doesn’t seem to be in the relationship she is having. Both have to face their feelings and they realize that the best time, and the best romance they had was 9 years ago,with each other,in Vienna…

It is fun,romantic,sad,heart-breaking,emotional,hopeful…It just leaves you feeling with a combination of a variety of feelings. You feel alive. Once again, it is just so easy to find yourself in Jesse and Celine. And you just cross fingers that this time they will stay together.

Is it as magical as the second movie? It depends. They were younger ,more romantic and more hopeful. They mention this in the second movie. They have grown up.We, the audience,have grown up. We have had more disappointments,heart-breaks,more journeys…We might have become more realistic and/or cynical. But the true spirit of the movie-that genuine honesty-is still the core here. Of course the romantic fool in me wished that they had met after six months. I wish that they had gotten together,stayed together,remained in love…But they didn’t. Life happened and they let life take its toll on them; on their beliefs,way of thinking. But at the same time, they didn’t change all that much. As Celine mentions in the movie, we don’t really change that much. No matter what self-defense mechanisms we develop, our hopes and dreams stay the same. So being together again just feels so right for them. It seems together that 9 years have passed.

The movie has been written by Richard Linklater, Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy. Hence the actors have co-written the screenplay, it is even easier for them to become to be Jesse and Celine. As I said, if you have seen the first one, you owe it yourself to see this. If you haven’t seen it, than go and just find Before Sunrise. I am still looking for a movie that will make me feel the same way these two did.

Before Sunset 3
Streets of Paris. Why does every city look even prettier when it is serving as a background to these two?

Before Sunset

before-sunset-23

 

 

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Filed Under: Movies and Actors Tagged With: Before Sunrise, Before Sunset, Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy, Paris, Richard Linklater, romance, Vienna

Before Sunrise starring Ethan Hawke & Julie Delpy

Posted on October 8, 2009 Written by ripitup

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before_sunrise_film1
Before Sunrise starring Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy

I don’t remember when I first saw this movie, it was quite some years ago but I have seen it many times after that- yet it never gets old. It never ceases to be magical. It is sweet, romantic, fun and so real. Oh sure, it seems like the perfect fantasy: to meet this attractive,down-to-earth,fun and sincere stranger in a different country and get to spend some really great,uncomplicated fun with them. I do have some stories like that. I had some wonderful hours with a British guy ( a really cool 13-hour-date, only a couple of hours after the 4 hour non-stop chat the night before…Or I really had a blast with this Dutch guy I met in Norway. Nope- I am no way claiming that we had the connection of Jesse and Celine here. We weren’t really emotionally involved. Yet it was romantic,sexy and very enjoyable. So the idea of clicking with a stranger does not seem impossible. But I haven’t yet had that magical encounter depicted here…

Jesse is on a train to go to Vienna. He is a young American, played by Ethan Hawke. He meets this pretty and lovely French girl Celine (Julie Delpy). They talk for hours and really enjoy each other’s company. So when it is time for Jesse to get off the train, he suggests that Celine goes off with him. He has one day to spend in the city before his flight to the States the next day. He cutely persuades Celine. After that Vienna serves as the background to one of my favorite love stories ever.

The two young people talk about anything and everything. They get to know each other. They instinctively travel through Vienna. They are impulsive, natural and they don’t play games. There is no pretending. They only have one day together and they don’t mess it up. They kiss at sunset. They enjoy the city and each other. They laugh and fool around. They walk hand in hand. They observe the magnificent city…There is a bond forming slowly but powerfully between these two former strangers and you just wish- like them- that this was not supposed to be their only night together.

You have one city, two leading actors-three and flowing dialogs. It was written by Richard Linklater -who also directed the movie- and Kim Krizan. Hawke and Delpy have made one genuinely great couple. It is just one romantic film that doesn’t need funny events, misunderstandings,ridiculous characters. The time limit is the only obstacle. It really makes you want to get on a train and travel through Europe-with the hopes that something even remotely similar will happen to you. The thing that feels so real about the movie is that how Linklater and Karizan have expressed so many true fears, expectations,dreams and doubts we have in our daily lives. It feels like we know both Jesse and Celine. In fact, we could easily be those characters.

before-sunrise1
This movie is the reason I want to go to Vienna.

If you haven’t seen it, trust me you are missing a great journey. The journey is so amazing that we- the viewers- fell in love with Linklater as the sequel of the movie Before Sunset was made years later. Oh trust me, Before Sunsrise will be your first love. But it will leave you wanting so much more that you will be grateful for the second piece of magic, set in Paris…

before-sunrise-screen

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beforesunrise01
before-sunriseeeeeeee

before-sunrise

Loved Before Sunrise? Great, there is a sequel: Before Sunset, starring both Hawke and Delpy. Both movies are rated 8.0 on IMDB. This is a romantic adventure you will enjoy, no matter what age or gender you are.

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Filed Under: Movies and Actors Tagged With: Before Sunrise, Before Sunset, Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy, Kim Krizan, Richard Linklater, romance, Vienna

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