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Oh, how wonderful to catch up with Celine and Jesse after what, eight years? I am a faithful fan of the Before Sunrise, Before Sunset movies with Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy and director/co-writer Richard Linklater. I was so happy when I saw there was a third installment, Before Midnight, just not so happy that I had to wait three weeks for it to arrive in a theater near me. Anyhow, I finally got to the theater to see this movie and it was great, interesting, and left me wondering, is this the last one, or will there be a fourth? For those who do not know this wonderful and ongoing love match, it all began when Jesse and Celine were young and met on a train in Vienna and spent one glorious night together. Next, they reconnect in Paris (Celine is French) in Before Sunset. Jesse is married, (not happily) with a son and has written a book about their chance meeting and lasting connection. I don’t want to spoil the whole story of these first two movies for those who have not been fortunate enough to have watched them (I encourage you to do so, especially before seeing Before Midnight). Anyhow, let’s just say the second movie ends with Jesse missing his plane, and there was no mystery as to why he missed his plane and what transpired after. Now, here we are eight, nine years later, Jesse and Celine have adorable twin daughters (blonde headed and look just like Celine) and they live in France and are vacationing in Greece. Jesse’s now fourteen year old son has been visiting for the summer and must fly back to the states. Jesse feels so guilty that he cannot be with his son more, the relationship with his ex-wife is horrible to put it mildly, and well, a lot of discussion about that, their future, and their lives together ensues in this movie filmed beautifully on location in Greece. The conversations between these two is the trademark of this movie series and once again, it does not disappoint. There is a horrific fight in the latter stages of the movie, and one wonders could this really be the end for Jesse and Celine? NO, say it is not so!!! But, you will have to see the movie, I don’t think it is the end for them at all, but is it the end of this wonderful collaboration between Hawke, Delpy and Linklater on this unique and enticing movie franchise? I hope not. This is an indie film, art-house movie making at its very best. You really have to watch from beginning to end, start in Vienna (Before Sunrise), then enjoy them in Paris (Before Sunset) and finally watch them in their early forties navigating their way through their relationship (not married, just together) on vacation in Greece as they reflect, argue, and try to decide what is next for them in their lives. So happy I finally got to see this movie. Recommend it to all, and especially fans of this couple and their story!
