The Vernon Film Society presents Before Midnight, director Richard Linklater’s long-awaited follow-up to Before Sunrise (1995) and Before Sunset (2005), at the Towne Cinema Monday.
Co-writing with his stars Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy, Linklater provides a resolution to Sunset’s cliffhanger ending while adding new dimension to this beloved romantic tale that spans nearly 20 years.
When last seen, Jesse (Hawke) and Celine (Delpy) were facing an uncertain future in Paris. Before Midnight picks up the story nine years later.
Two decades have passed since their encounter on a train bound for Vienna, but as they now enjoy the last days of a vacation in Greece, it’s evident that the chemistry between them is still fresh.
For all that remains the same, they are no longer twenty-somethings, but aging GenXers in mid life, with all the accompanying stresses and responsibilities. They have grown up and the film’s tone has matured to match.
Hawke and Delpy have achieved something unique in modern movies by writing, developing, and living with these characters for such a long period of time.
Nearly 20 years on, Jesse and Celine still have plenty to talk about.
As Justin Chang of Variety says: “One of the great movie romances of the modern era achieves its richest and fullest expression in Before Midnight.”
The film will be shown at the Towne Cinema Monday at 5:15 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. Tickets are available at the door and in advance at the theatre and the Bean Scene for $7.
Programs for the film society’s annual Fall Film Festival, Nov. 4 to 7, are also available.
