Watch Before Midnight

Before Midnight is a romantic drama film directed by Richard Linklater and released in 2013. The movie marks the third installment in the Before Trilogy, which includes Before Sunrise (1995) and Before Sunset (2004). The movie stars Ethan Hawke reprising his role as Jesse, and Julie Delpy as Celine. The plot revolves around Jesse and Celine, who are now a couple and parents to two daughters. The movie takes place nine years after the events of Before Sunset, and the couple is on vacation in Greece.

The story starts with Jesse dropping his son, who lives with his ex-wife, at the airport. As Jesse's son leaves, it dawns on him that time with his son is limited, and he will soon leave for college. Meanwhile, Celine thinks about her career as an environmental activist and the possibility of moving to the US.

Jesse and Celine spend a day in Greece with friends, and during the car ride back to their hotel, they begin to talk about their relationship, their past, and their future. They talk about their expectations, the sacrifices they've made for each other, and the challenges they've faced.

The conversation takes center stage for the rest of the film, as viewers are taken on a tour of the couple's lives. The script is smartly written, and the actors give powerful and natural performances. Fans of the series have loved spending time with Jesse and Celine, and the script does a great job of updating viewers on the lives of these beloved characters.

The narrative moves along with a lot of pauses, silences, and long takes. Often filmed in one take, it can be compared to theater more than to film, increasing its intimacy and authenticity.

One of the film's strengths is how it delves deeply into the characters' emotions and relationships. Linklater captures the complexities of long-term relationships, highlighting how couples need to work hard to maintain their love for one another. The film is a mature yet poignant look at love, and it's full of wisdom about what makes relationships work.

The movie is set against the beautiful backdrops of the Greek countryside, with stunning shots of sunset, mountains, and beaches, contrasting with the intensity of the couple's communication.

Before Midnight is a powerful but realistic portrayal of long-term love, bringing viewers close to the eternal struggle between the desires and the need for personal growth. The film's script, direction, and performances are all excellent, and it's an impressive addition to an already beloved series.

Before Midnight is a 2013 romance movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 48 minutes. It has received outstanding reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.9 and a MetaScore of 94.