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| Celine and Jesse. |
Directed by Richard Linklater
Produced by Richard Linklater, Christos V. Konstantakopoulos and Sara Woodhatch
Written by Richard Linklater, Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke (screenplay); Richard Linklater and Kim Krizan (characters)
Starring Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy****
After spending an evening together in Vienna and an afternoon together in Paris nine years later, Jesse (Hawke) and Celine (Delpy) are together again. This time it's in Greece on a vacation with their twin daughters. They've gone through a lot since we last saw them, but their relationship seems as simple and spontaneous as it was when they first met. However, the pressures, restrictions, compromises, and expectations of their lifestyle might prove too much for them to handle.
Linklater, Hawke and Delpy have created another beautiful chapter in this superb trilogy. The veteran indie director lets the script do most of the work, as he and the actors collaborated heavily on it again. At this point, Hawke and Delpy clearly know these characters, and they manage to bring out even more of their flaws, chemistry and love for each other. The film provides secondary characters for them interact with (more so than the Sunrise and Sunset did), but the last half of the film is a free-for-all battle of wits and words, like the first two films captured with an appearance of surprising ease and authenticity. Fans of the first two should be pleased, and newcomers should have much to delight in as well. It's one of the year's finest films, providing another intimate look at Celine's and Jesse's relationship, and forming a spectacular trilogy on top of it.
Oscar Potential: Best Picture, Best Actress and Best Adapted Screenplay
I should be seeing this Monday!!! I have the other two in from Netflix and will be watching them over the weekend. I'm so excited!!!
ReplyDeleteYay! Hope you love them! :)
DeleteRight now, it's my favorite film of the year so far. Definitely some of those moments in the third act between Jesse and Celine. There were moments that gutted me in that film and the performances of Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy are outstanding. I think Hawke should get nominated as should Delpy in the lead acting categories as well as a nod for Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Director for Richard Linklater, and Best Picture.
ReplyDeleteI agree on those powerful moments in the third act, and it's probably my favorite of the year so far as well. Hawke and Delpy were fantastic, and I'd love for the film to get those five nominations. Unfortunately, I think it will be overlooked for Best Director and Best Actor.
DeleteI'm a bit worried about this one since Before Sunset had such a perfect ending it would be a shame for a sequel to ruin it, but all those positive reviews are encouraging :)
ReplyDeleteYeah, I was worried about that too. This one takes what worked in the last film and ends on another brilliant note. Hope you like the film! :)
DeleteA beautiful movie that's as challenging as it is obvious with what it's trying to say and points out. Favorite of the year so far and if the rest of the year continues to go on like it has; probably of the rest of the year. Good review Josh.
ReplyDeleteThanks Dan. It should be high on my list at the end of the year, like the other two films. (Before Sunrise is my #3 of 1995, and Before Sunset is my #1 of 2004.)
DeleteLoved this film. Loved it. Broke my heart, built me up, left me feeling inspired.
ReplyDeleteWouldn't a Best Picture nom be incredible?
Right now, it's my favorite film of the year. This is definitely one of my favorite trilogies, probably just behind Bergman's faith and the Three Colors ones.
DeleteA Best Picture nom would be awesome, but I'd settle for a Best Adapted Screenplay win. If it doesn't make the cut, they could at least award the trio for the trilogy in that category.