Before Midnight

First Hit: First rate dialogue, acting and film.

It isn't always that sequels to a film are as good as the original. I don't think any of the "Rocky" sequels were as gritty and inspiring as the first although a couple were OK.

The entire "Godfather" series were strong and the color and feel of the original set the tone by which Francis Ford Coppola moved forward with mindfulness – not just for the money. The newest prequel to the "Star Trek" series may also follow in good standing as I certainly enjoyed the first two film (see my previous reviews in this blog) and hope the next continues the quality previously set forth. "Star Wars" did a great job on some of the follow-up films and certainly fell down in some of the others.

What makes this group of films ("Before Sunrise", "After Sunset", and "Before Midnight") unique is that these films are based in dialogue. They aren't about special effects or right triumphing over wrong or good versus evil. These stories hold together with deep and truthful scripting and the execution of this script by outstanding actors.

One of the major differences in this film versus the other two was that there were other actors featured in this one. Although Jesse’s (Ethan Hawke) son Hank (Seamus Davey-Fitzpatrick) has minor screen time, he is prominently a featured subject of the ensuing dialogue. It was very smart to have him be featured in the opening scene. Jesse and Celine’s (Julie Delpy) twins Nina and Ella (respectfully Charlotte and Jennifer Prior) and working friends and colleagues were also part of the mix in lively conversations.

However, this film is about Celine and Jesse, how their life has unfolded, who they are as people and how they love each other. I cannot say enough about how I admired the long scenes of non-stop dialogue. There was no clipping of their exchange to make the film move faster – there was no need – it moved at light-speed anyway because the characters we strong and deep enough for the audience to be pulled into their story.

Hawke was the best he’s ever been. His maturity, clarity, and belief in his character made for a performance, that to me was sublime - Oscar worthy. Delpy’s delivery of Celine’s dialogue was filled with feeling and emotion. She believed her dialogue and it showed. Delpy, Hawke and Richard Linklater (Director) wrote and extraordinary script filled with compassion, passion, and depth of character. Linklater performed magic directing this film with long beautiful sequences that captured two willful people. Direction was Oscar worthy as well.

Overall:  If there is another film in this series, I’ll go see it because this is a series of intelligent delight in film making and storytelling.

2 Days in New York

First Hit:  At times funny at other times it felt like it was pressing.

Julie Delpy playing Marion also wrote and directed this film. This is her 7th directorial effort of which one, 2 Days in Paris, was the only one I previously watched.

Like 2 Days in Paris, she wrote, directed and stars in this film. Perfectly understandable because in today’s film making system; sometimes the only way you get work is to make it yourself. In this film Marion (Delpy) is living with Mingus (played by Chris Rock).

He’s a semi-famous radio personality and she is a struggling photo artist. They each have children from previous relationships. Marion’s father Jeannot (played by Albert Delpy), sister Rose (played by Alexia Landeau), and a former lover Manu (played by Alexandre Nahon) come to visit them from France.

They are an odd lot with Jeannot and Manu being held at immigration/customs because they are trying to smuggle 35 pounds of sausages into the country. The cultural differences, lifestyle differences, and language misunderstandings make sections of this film very funny.

However, the same components that make it funny at times, get in the way. There is also the issue that Delpy appears to channel Woody Allen by the the continual talking and over explaining his previous actions.

Delpy is good at times but overall the character wore on me. Rock is toned down from being an intense Rock and here it works. Albert Delpy is amusing to watch and is the funniest character in the film. Nahon is the second funniest, but his role felt a little pressed as well. Landeau was very good as the sister who, although being a child psychologist, has a set of her own issues. Delpy and Landeau wrote the script which at times was great and other times labored. Delpy gets some good performances from the actors.

Overall:  The film just doesn’t have enough to make it really good.

2 Days in Paris

First Hit: What a wonderful entertaining first effort film by Julie Delpy.

If you’ve never seen Before Sunrise or Before Sunset you’ve missed a very enjoyable look at a marvelous actress who grows on you the more you watch her.

Julie has been over 40 films and in each one she shows up and shines regardless of the role.

This is the first major film she has directed, wrote, co-produced and starred in. Like few others who attempt to do it all on a film, she succeeds fully. She knows how to direct herself and write funny dialog.

This is a fun film and her foil, Adam Goldberg, is very good at making the dialog come alive with a certain irreverence and seriousness.

Overall: I'm in line for Julie's next film as director or star.