I’m really torn about them as a binging experience. I think you might enjoy it more if you give yourself a month or three between them. So much of the joy of them is the mystery of what happens after each final shot.
Richard Linklater should absolutely continue this series where we see the couple as a potentially divorced set of grandparents navigating the complexity of a modern family trying to stay together in a world being ripped apart by politics, void of the philosophical depth these characters exude and bring back to the world.
I think this is one of the best arguments I've heard for another film to be made. They fell in love in the 90s, when the world was such a different place. How do they and their family survive the 2020s?!
There is potential to reveal a love so strong between these characters that it has surpassed romantic attachment and could even survive death. I believe in their love even if it now lives outside of marriage.
First, I agree with you as far as this is THE trilogy. But I am very game for another one! I think it's interesting how after the second one people were like, when is the next one coming out? And after the third people went, okay, the trilogy is done. Honestly as someone younger than the actors and characters (and the director), it feels very reflective of their ages at the time of the films. 20s vs 30s vs 40s. And to correct you, I think they were both broken people before the last film. And I wouldn't even say broken, really, but love and this relationship didn't save them or change them. It changed their circumstances but they still have issues. I liked Boyhood, and I could relate to a lot of it, but the Before films are this deeply felt account of time and aging in a wya that few narrative films have ever managed. A film that is about their 50s would be a different beast and would be something different and interesting. (But also, how hard would it be to try to write another one knowing the pressure and trying to live up to the first three...I mean Truffaut made five films about Antoine Doinel - I think it was five? - but we only remember and rewatch The 400 Blows)
I also feel like there's something to be said for the setting of each film. And the mood of the characters and the time is reflected in the choice. The first one they're on a train from Budapest to Vienna in the early 90s after the Iron Curtain comes down and it's this hopeful Wild West era. In Sunset they're in Paris which has this history but it was as Paris is being revitalized (and now it's been changed all over again). But it was her home and a fantasy for him, in some ways, this fantasy of the American artist coming to Paris and meeting the beautiful French woman. Even while it's not that. In Midnight they're in Greece - and we were at the start of instagram and this luxury tourism of the Greek isles. But they're also staying at Patrick Leigh Fermor's old house, in a region he first visited during WW2, a country marked by decades of civil war and political violence and instability. I wonder where in Europe - or not Europe - they would end up next? Italy? Spain? Germany? Poland? UK?
I only recently plucked up the courage to watch Before Midnight (at a cinema screening) and I loved it. I didn’t find it as harrowing as I expected. I guess I’m a hopeful romantic but I felt sure they’d stay together at the end. I think if he splits them up it would be a crying shame. They already had their time of living without each other. If that wasn’t enough to show them the light then they’re probably not the soul mates we thought they were.
I am yes. And Jesse and Celine staying together feels of vital importance because I have been with my husband since we were teenagers — right at the time the first film came out. So maybe I’m just in denial but the final scene in felt like a truce to me.
I don’t know, but I do think he should make another film like Boyhood. (I watched that film sitting between my parents the year before my mom died and… uhh… Movies can be important.)
I suspect Linklater is working on five films right now, and I think he's also okay if two of them never make it to the screen. I wish we talked about him as one of the most interesting auteurs of the past 30 years. He always feels like he's flying under the radar most the time, which is probably how he likes it hiding away in Austin.
Jesus, this move has killed me. My brain feels like pudding. How do you mangle titles so supremely as I did here when I can quote from the damn films like people quote from the Bible?! Thank you.
Shit happens, man. When I write posts, a draft is just a draft and I won't publish before I've looked at it 4-5 times, toward the end as fact-checking. Exhausting, but whew, not a bad practice when you can't afford edit staff! lol. BTW LOVE all these movies. They are cinema gold.
I haven't watched them either. I don't know why, cos I'm not averse to trilogies (Star Wars, Three Colours, Back To The Future, Indiana Jones). Could number 4 be a Before...Hit Man mash up?!!! I am loving everyone's enthusiasm for the Before movies... and I need to join that train!
Let’s have a party on a rainy weekend and watch them. Remember watching movies while your friend was on the phone at their own house? Or was that just me? We could do that with zoom. 😅
Also LOVE the “Before” movies - although have said adamantly NO film, single, trilogy, anything will overtake my undying LOVE for the LotR trilogy, this series continues to intrigue…even tho they break several rules for screenplays. How can a story that is little action, almost all conversation be so absorbing? Maybe YOU should try your hand at a screenplay to put this one to rest, however you envision the story, yes?! Just a thought.
I absolutely think they should do another Before film- as long as they don’t cheapen it by killing one of them off. I would love to see a more hopeful one after the pain of the last one (which I don’t fault because let’s face it, middle age is painful.) It would be so wonderful to see them rediscovering each other and their love for each other after becoming empty nesters - not without problems, but ones that bring them together rather than pushing them further apart. They both have such romantic souls- I’d love to see the reemergence of that.
I would love to see it but only if they’re on point about the story. While neither is particularly old, there’s something interesting about them grappling with aging and the passage of time on love. Maybe they’re separated when it starts and it’s about the day they may or may not try to make it work. Could be incredibly potent material. They should shoot it in some place like Japan to create that heightened sense of alienation they’d most likely be feeling with each other
I love these films too. I remember very clearly being completely blown away watching the first one. It was magical. I think another installment of the story should have them rediscovering what brought them together in the first place while acknowledging the ways they’ve changed as individuals and the compromises needed to make the relationship work again. Does that make me a hopeless romantic?
I've never seen any of these movies, which is strange, actually, since I'm a huge Ethan Hawke fan. I'll have to find a way to watch them.
I mean...wait...WHAT?!
I know! I've looked them up, and I honestly can't believe they've somehow passed me by. I'm on a mission now!
Still haven’t seen ANY of these films! They are on my list but as yet remain unviewed.
Please, stop everything and go watch them right now. At least watch the first film. I promise you it’s the balm you probably need at this moment.
On it! I have a week off so plenty of time.
I’m really torn about them as a binging experience. I think you might enjoy it more if you give yourself a month or three between them. So much of the joy of them is the mystery of what happens after each final shot.
Thanks. I’ll bear that in mind.
Cole, all of these films were so deep and sad. I really don’t know if I could take another ending where they separate for good! 😔😢
I don't think that's ever going to happen, but who knows? I hope...
Richard Linklater should absolutely continue this series where we see the couple as a potentially divorced set of grandparents navigating the complexity of a modern family trying to stay together in a world being ripped apart by politics, void of the philosophical depth these characters exude and bring back to the world.
I think this is one of the best arguments I've heard for another film to be made. They fell in love in the 90s, when the world was such a different place. How do they and their family survive the 2020s?!
There is potential to reveal a love so strong between these characters that it has surpassed romantic attachment and could even survive death. I believe in their love even if it now lives outside of marriage.
First, I agree with you as far as this is THE trilogy. But I am very game for another one! I think it's interesting how after the second one people were like, when is the next one coming out? And after the third people went, okay, the trilogy is done. Honestly as someone younger than the actors and characters (and the director), it feels very reflective of their ages at the time of the films. 20s vs 30s vs 40s. And to correct you, I think they were both broken people before the last film. And I wouldn't even say broken, really, but love and this relationship didn't save them or change them. It changed their circumstances but they still have issues. I liked Boyhood, and I could relate to a lot of it, but the Before films are this deeply felt account of time and aging in a wya that few narrative films have ever managed. A film that is about their 50s would be a different beast and would be something different and interesting. (But also, how hard would it be to try to write another one knowing the pressure and trying to live up to the first three...I mean Truffaut made five films about Antoine Doinel - I think it was five? - but we only remember and rewatch The 400 Blows)
I feel like you've inspired me to write something about Antoine Doinel's story now...
I also feel like there's something to be said for the setting of each film. And the mood of the characters and the time is reflected in the choice. The first one they're on a train from Budapest to Vienna in the early 90s after the Iron Curtain comes down and it's this hopeful Wild West era. In Sunset they're in Paris which has this history but it was as Paris is being revitalized (and now it's been changed all over again). But it was her home and a fantasy for him, in some ways, this fantasy of the American artist coming to Paris and meeting the beautiful French woman. Even while it's not that. In Midnight they're in Greece - and we were at the start of instagram and this luxury tourism of the Greek isles. But they're also staying at Patrick Leigh Fermor's old house, in a region he first visited during WW2, a country marked by decades of civil war and political violence and instability. I wonder where in Europe - or not Europe - they would end up next? Italy? Spain? Germany? Poland? UK?
I am honored! And I would love to read that! (and now that I think about it, not sure I've actually seen all the Doinel films...)
I love these films! Among my all time favorites.
I only recently plucked up the courage to watch Before Midnight (at a cinema screening) and I loved it. I didn’t find it as harrowing as I expected. I guess I’m a hopeful romantic but I felt sure they’d stay together at the end. I think if he splits them up it would be a crying shame. They already had their time of living without each other. If that wasn’t enough to show them the light then they’re probably not the soul mates we thought they were.
Hi Katie! Are you married, by chance? I only ask because I'm curious about your experience of their marital discord.
I am yes. And Jesse and Celine staying together feels of vital importance because I have been with my husband since we were teenagers — right at the time the first film came out. So maybe I’m just in denial but the final scene in felt like a truce to me.
I’m married too, and also an optimist in more ways than I’m probably comfortable acknowledging. They absolutely end up together.
I don’t know, but I do think he should make another film like Boyhood. (I watched that film sitting between my parents the year before my mom died and… uhh… Movies can be important.)
I suspect Linklater is working on five films right now, and I think he's also okay if two of them never make it to the screen. I wish we talked about him as one of the most interesting auteurs of the past 30 years. He always feels like he's flying under the radar most the time, which is probably how he likes it hiding away in Austin.
I’ve never seen these movies and I feel like I’ve missed something. Showing my age, I guess!
You have missed so much. They are amongst my favorite and most rewatched films of all time.
I will have to seek them out. 😃
Great post, Cole! (Double check your titles, though.) 😉
Jesus, this move has killed me. My brain feels like pudding. How do you mangle titles so supremely as I did here when I can quote from the damn films like people quote from the Bible?! Thank you.
Shit happens, man. When I write posts, a draft is just a draft and I won't publish before I've looked at it 4-5 times, toward the end as fact-checking. Exhausting, but whew, not a bad practice when you can't afford edit staff! lol. BTW LOVE all these movies. They are cinema gold.
I haven't watched them either. I don't know why, cos I'm not averse to trilogies (Star Wars, Three Colours, Back To The Future, Indiana Jones). Could number 4 be a Before...Hit Man mash up?!!! I am loving everyone's enthusiasm for the Before movies... and I need to join that train!
Let’s have a party on a rainy weekend and watch them. Remember watching movies while your friend was on the phone at their own house? Or was that just me? We could do that with zoom. 😅
Also LOVE the “Before” movies - although have said adamantly NO film, single, trilogy, anything will overtake my undying LOVE for the LotR trilogy, this series continues to intrigue…even tho they break several rules for screenplays. How can a story that is little action, almost all conversation be so absorbing? Maybe YOU should try your hand at a screenplay to put this one to rest, however you envision the story, yes?! Just a thought.
I absolutely think they should do another Before film- as long as they don’t cheapen it by killing one of them off. I would love to see a more hopeful one after the pain of the last one (which I don’t fault because let’s face it, middle age is painful.) It would be so wonderful to see them rediscovering each other and their love for each other after becoming empty nesters - not without problems, but ones that bring them together rather than pushing them further apart. They both have such romantic souls- I’d love to see the reemergence of that.
There have been recent rumblings from Hawke that there might be a story on the way, since I posted this piece, so we shall see!
I would love to see it but only if they’re on point about the story. While neither is particularly old, there’s something interesting about them grappling with aging and the passage of time on love. Maybe they’re separated when it starts and it’s about the day they may or may not try to make it work. Could be incredibly potent material. They should shoot it in some place like Japan to create that heightened sense of alienation they’d most likely be feeling with each other
All of this is intriguing in terms of possibilities.
I love these films too. I remember very clearly being completely blown away watching the first one. It was magical. I think another installment of the story should have them rediscovering what brought them together in the first place while acknowledging the ways they’ve changed as individuals and the compromises needed to make the relationship work again. Does that make me a hopeless romantic?