Just finished watching the Before trilogy and came here to share with you my opinions about this philosophical romance.
please leave immediately if you have not seen the movies since my blog contains definite spoilers.
Well, I do not know why they try to make sequels for movies and the output is not as good as its predecessors. I mean before sunrise as the first movie was much better than before sunset and before midnight. First of all, Before Sunrise includes more dialogues between Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Celine (Julie Delpy) about a diversity of topics that are more global than personal. The other thing is the era where the movie takes place. Almost half of Europe is still struggling with the Cold War effects, technology did not have much to say and love was a real thing, you know people showed more respect to amorous relationships during the 90s and unfortunately, it got worse as time passed by.
Let’s get back to the Before trilogy. We see Jesse Wallace at the beginning of Before Sunrise on a train where he changes his seat due to a couple’s quarrel. But Hawke is not the only person who is annoyed by noises. Celine and Jesse meet on the train. Jesse begins ogling Celine and you know the rest. Take this as a confession, I am jealous of him for his ability to initiate a flirtatious conversation so quickly.
They choose many topics to talk about from politics and philosophy to the arts and feminism and most of the time they express contrasting comments.
The first movie ends with a commitment to visit each other after 6 months which never occurred.
In the second movie, once again Jesse is the starter who is attending his best-seller book signing session in Paris. As you guessed, the book is inspired by Jesse and Celine’s encounters in 1995 (the first movie). Celine comes to the book ceremony and they meet each other after nearly 10 years while Jesse is married and Celine has spent time with different men.
That is a big deal that Richard Linklater (director) is neglecting. I do not get how two persons were supposed to meet 10 years ago and they did not show up, and reunite so easily as if nothing happened. Anyway they stroll in beautiful streets and allies and apparently continue their discussions about diverse topics.
Before Sunset ends at Celine’s little home. She is singing and playing the guitar for Jesse. I did not like the ending, It was not open, it was too open!
Before Midnight starts with a big surprise! that is not about Jesse’s son (from his ex-wife) or Celine’s appearance. They got married! Can you believe it? They truly got married and delivered two big daughters! Why the hell on earth, two romantic and seemingly anarchists should get married? This is not what I was expecting at the end of the second movie.
They are on a trip to Greece and the same themes will be returned when Jesse and Celine are walking among ancient ruins. But this time their conversations are more personal rather than global. Celine is struggling with being a mother and complains about Jesse’s absence from their lives when he is needed. Jesse is not able to live with his son while trying to be a caretaking father for her daughters and a great emotional partner for his wife.
These tensions lead to a serious fight and widen gaps in their relationships till the point Celine tells Jesse that “she does not love him anymore”.
But do not worry, provocative Jesse makes up a fictional story about his 80-year-old version who comes from the future through a time machine with an invisible letter on a tissue written to Celine! Celine who is still angry, is again enchanted by Jesse’s awesome imagination.
Well, This is the end. All in all, the Before trilogy by Richard Linklater which is also written by Linklater himself, Hawke and Delpy invites the audience to embrace a new kind of romance which is about sex and philosophy without much nudity and it is about choices we should make in our lives which is a constant process of trading-off.
I recommend watching Before movies, especially the first title if you are looking for a vintage, rustic and wild love.