BEFORE MIDNIGHT

 Drama

PRINCIPAL CAST MEMBERS

Ethan Hawke: sucessful author Jesse Wallace

Seamus Fitzpatrick: his 13-year-old son Hank

Julie Delpy: Jesse’s wife Celine

Walter Lassally: their Greek friend Patrick

REVIEW

Basically this is a film about people talking about relationships, love, marriage, child upbringing, long-term commitment, that kind of thing. With the principal actors as co writers what they say often rings true and comes across as a natural conversation between two intelligent people who have known each other for years.

However the conversation during dinner sounds like something you might hear at a frat house with frequent vulgar references to what a man thinks is the most important thing in life. It is unsettling and out of place since most adults do not discuss private matters like this openly with others execpt with their marriage counselor perhaps.

The lengthy 10-minute long tracking shots with the camera plunked in front of the couple as they drive or walk is boring which is probably why no other director employs this technique to the extent this one does.

Some movie-goers are going to be offended by the brashness of the sexual nature of their short stay in the hotel room. During the viewing I attended, no less than five people walked out, offended and put off by what was shown on the screen.

CLASSIFICATION

 for sexual content, nudity and language.

FOR NITPICKERS ONLY

While Jesse and Stefanos are talking each has a tall drink beside them but Stefanos’ changes locations from one shot to another although he never once touches it. 

P.S

This is the third film in the series with these two actors. The others were better.