Before Midnight

Life has consequences, that's just the way it is and we can't do much about it. We see this clearly in this amazing couple, whom we have met for the third time. Jesse and Céline are married, which is a pleasant realization, but gradually the romance that was associated with their first and even second meeting has disappeared from their shared life. They are used to each other, they have their problems. That's just life. Nevertheless, it's still enjoyable to watch and listen to the two of them because this is the most beautiful aspect in all three movies. Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke simply fit together, whether they are in love or a little frustrated with life. They are such a perfect couple that one wonders why it's not the same in reality. Will we see a fourth installment in nine years? (2013-12-04)

In the final part of the trilogy, Linklater and I really clicked. His characters have finally grown up and, despite their flaws, they are now able to behave as mature parents and partners. It is no longer so self-centered because their children, acquaintances, and friends complement the married couple. In terms of age, worries, and emotions, I feel close to them and I understand their problems and behavior. I would say that Linklater has matured as a filmmaker during the long breaks between films. Overall impression: 80%. (2018-07-18)

Another incredibly mature work. Fantastically oscillating between melancholy, romance, drama, and exaggeration. Flawless acting and the several minutes-long shots, concentrating all the film energy on the two protagonists are a stroke of brilliance. A generational change within the theme, but the quality is absolutely unchanged. This is life. (2013-08-22)

To my own surprise, after the scene in the car I stopped watching where the actors were reading their dialogue from, which I suddenly started to have a tendency to enter. Linklater's concept of relationship wrought into resigned feminist dogma (I chuckled maliciously at the scene where the women prepare dinner while the men sit and talk about literature, i.e. the scene the protagonist later leans into) works with the premise of accepting fictional identities that suppress the real identities already mapped and scorned by their counterparts. And I'd like to keep watching that final spark that jumped between the chrononaut and the naive literature student. Even though neither of them exist. (2013-10-17)

In my opinion the weakest installment in the entire trilogy. There’s no shortage of strong moments, and the chemistry between the two main protagonists still works, though it must be stressed that it is different from the previous installments. As I began with my criticism of Celine in my review of the previous installment, here I have to multiply it. There is no doubt that they are both in a very difficult life situation, which of course has a huge impact on how they function and "get along" with each other. I am not their age (at the time of writing I am a fresh-faced 29), but my life belief has always been and will always be that both partners should first and foremost help each other, support each other, and overcome obstacles together. I respect doubt, insecurity, searching – all those toxic feelings because I occasionally have them too (as does everyone). Personally, though, I have a problem with those doubts escalating into treating the other person in the couple like dirt. I dare not say whose side was at fault in this case. You can't anyway. But I see the starting point as finding a common solution and supporting each other, because that's how I think relationships should be. I'm certainly not selling a recipe for a happy relationship here, because I don't have one. It’s a hat trick, Mr. Linklater (wow the first time, bravo the second). (2017-12-21)