Before Midnight (2013)
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A couple navigates the complexities of long-term commitment and parenthood during a summer vacation in Greece.
The story
Nine years after their initial meetings, Jesse and Céline are now a couple with twin daughters. While spending a summer vacation on the Greek Peloponnese peninsula, the couple faces the pressures of their current lives. Jesse, a successful novelist, grapples with his relationship with his teenage son, while Céline faces a career crossroads. As they travel through the Greek countryside, the couple engages in extensive conversations about their past, their current relationship, and the challenges of parenting. Their journey serves as a backdrop for a deep exploration of their bond and the realities of long-term commitment.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Nine years after reuniting in Paris, Jesse and Céline are now in a relationship and have twin daughters. While vacationing on the Greek Peloponnese, Jesse reflects on his strained relationship with his teenage son, Hank, who lives with his mother. Céline faces a career crossroads after a project is rejected. As they travel, they discuss their parenting, their views on sex and gender, and their fears about the future. During a walk to a hotel, they reflect on their initial meetings and whether they would have become a couple if they met as they are now. After a dinner with friends, they have a heated argument in their hotel room regarding Hank and their future. They accuse each other of having affairs, and Céline leaves the room multiple times, eventually stating she might not love him anymore. In the final scene, Jesse performs a 'time travel' roleplay, presenting her with a letter from his 82-year-old self. They ultimately reconcile, acknowledging that while their love is imperfect, it is real.
- First release year
- 2013
- Runtime (minutes)
- 109
- Production countries
- United States; Greece
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Richard Linklater
- Writers
- Richard Linklater · writer; Ethan Hawke · writer; Julie Delpy · writer
- Cast and characters
- Ethan Hawke · Jesse; Julie Delpy · Céline
- Genres
- romantic drama
- Themes
- romance; age; long-term commitment
- Tone and mood
- intimate; intelligent; natural
- Premise and plot tags
- road movie; trilogy; conversational
- Franchise connections
- Before trilogy
- Reception
- The film received widespread critical acclaim, particularly for its exploration of romance and age, its screenplay, Linklater's direction, and acting performances.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 98% · scale: percentage · review count: 202; Metacritic · score: 94 · scale: 100 · review count: 41
- Awards and nominations
- AARP Movies for Grownups Award · Best Screenwriter · win; National Society of Film Critics Award · Best Screenplay · win; Bodil Award · Best English Language Film · nomination; Gotham Independent Film Award · Best Feature · nomination; Robert Award · Best English Language Film · nomination; Silver Condor Award · Best Foreign Film · nomination; Alliance of Women Film Journalists Award · Best Woman Screenwriter · nomination
- Production trivia
- The film is the highest-grossing film in the trilogy.; The film was shot in 15 days for less than $3 million.; The film was shot on the Peloponnese coast in Southern Greece, including the Kardamyli home formerly owned by author Patrick Leigh Fermor.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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