No - it's not Superman, though I have had a crush on Henry Cahill since he tramped around the British countryside as Henry VIII's most trusted adviser, Charles Brandon. And yes, I will be going to see Superman because of him....
But no, this is not the movie that I have been waiting for. The movie I have been waiting (a long time) for is Before Midnight.
In 1995, my husband and I happened to catch the lovely movie Before Sunrise. I admit that I was not an Ethan Hawke fan. But this film, a film about two young people meeting in Vienna and having a spontaneous overnight adventure, and talking (god forbid - these were intelligent, well-rounded characters), was so refreshing and lovely and the acting so realistic, that we just loved it. Starring Hawke and the then unknown (to North American audiences) French actress Julie Delpy, this is a jewel of a movie that makes you fall in love with the two characters even as they are falling in love with one another.
Well not only did we love it, but apparently so did the cast, who became close friends, and the director, Richard Linklater. So fast forward 9 years to 2004, when the trio got together and collaborated on the making of Before Sunset.
This is the thing that we always think when we meet characters in books and movies that we love: I wonder what happened next? Well the director and his stars wondered, too, and gifted us with their imagining. This time, our characters meet up again in Paris and must decide if the night in Vienna is worth pursuing or was a fluke of a romantic evening.
And now after another 9 years, they are back. And once again, our trio have written their imaginings of what happened next. This time the movie is set in Greece, during a family vacation and explores what happens when you give up all for love. I have read an interview with Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy in which they say as long as there is an audience they are content to revisit these characters ever 9 years for years to come if they think there is a story to tell. What a piece of art that would be! Hawke and Delpy in their seventies, exploring aging!
In the last week, I have seen and read several reviews of the movie. Almost every review talks about the perfection of the script, and of the acting, and have been almost universally positive. Eli Glassner from Canada's CBC described it as an almost perfect movie and gave it 5/5.
In a sea of summer blockbusters and super heroes and fast cars, this is a gem for people who like smart movies about smart people. I do recommend that you watch the first two movies in advance if you have not already seen them - it will make this movie more enjoyable and understandable, and besides, you will be giving yourself a gift! I plan to watch them both again in the next week or so! And then pray that our small movie theatres carry it!
Have you seen these movies? Did you like them as much as i do? What movies are you interested in seeing this summer?
Have a great day and stay safe out there!
But no, this is not the movie that I have been waiting for. The movie I have been waiting (a long time) for is Before Midnight.
In 1995, my husband and I happened to catch the lovely movie Before Sunrise. I admit that I was not an Ethan Hawke fan. But this film, a film about two young people meeting in Vienna and having a spontaneous overnight adventure, and talking (god forbid - these were intelligent, well-rounded characters), was so refreshing and lovely and the acting so realistic, that we just loved it. Starring Hawke and the then unknown (to North American audiences) French actress Julie Delpy, this is a jewel of a movie that makes you fall in love with the two characters even as they are falling in love with one another.
Well not only did we love it, but apparently so did the cast, who became close friends, and the director, Richard Linklater. So fast forward 9 years to 2004, when the trio got together and collaborated on the making of Before Sunset.
This is the thing that we always think when we meet characters in books and movies that we love: I wonder what happened next? Well the director and his stars wondered, too, and gifted us with their imagining. This time, our characters meet up again in Paris and must decide if the night in Vienna is worth pursuing or was a fluke of a romantic evening.
And now after another 9 years, they are back. And once again, our trio have written their imaginings of what happened next. This time the movie is set in Greece, during a family vacation and explores what happens when you give up all for love. I have read an interview with Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy in which they say as long as there is an audience they are content to revisit these characters ever 9 years for years to come if they think there is a story to tell. What a piece of art that would be! Hawke and Delpy in their seventies, exploring aging!
In the last week, I have seen and read several reviews of the movie. Almost every review talks about the perfection of the script, and of the acting, and have been almost universally positive. Eli Glassner from Canada's CBC described it as an almost perfect movie and gave it 5/5.
In a sea of summer blockbusters and super heroes and fast cars, this is a gem for people who like smart movies about smart people. I do recommend that you watch the first two movies in advance if you have not already seen them - it will make this movie more enjoyable and understandable, and besides, you will be giving yourself a gift! I plan to watch them both again in the next week or so! And then pray that our small movie theatres carry it!
Have you seen these movies? Did you like them as much as i do? What movies are you interested in seeing this summer?
Have a great day and stay safe out there!
I adore those movies and I also can't wait to watch it! I think it would be fantastic if they made the movie every 9 years - it would be a fictional 7 up series. I think they write intelligent scripts and it was such a huge risk when they made it the first time. Two people talking walking around Vienna? The Hollywood execs must have had several meetings about that one! I think Delpy is such a talent and a great writer - I also like her other movie, 2 days in Paris - if you haven't watched that yet then please do I think you might like it.
ReplyDeleteI love the 7 Up series, have you seen them all CSW? I have not seen the most recent one.
DeleteOh Yes! I adore the 7 up series...In fact I even watched the Russian version - that one was in some ways more interesting as it shows pre and post communism. I am not a starry eyed person but if I saw one of those people in that series I might have to ask for an autograph!
DeleteI did not know about the Russian version, sounds really interesting - will check it out!
DeleteI haven't seen all of the 7 up series, but it is exactly that kind of thing, isn't it? It is both a brave and a kind thing to do for the audience and absolutely fascinating!
DeleteI love those films too. Will most certainly be going to the cinema to watch the latest one.
ReplyDeleteApart from 'The Hunt' I don't think I've seen a film I've liked for a long time ( a new one I mean!)
It is hard, isn't it? When I find a movie I love I am so happy!
DeleteI have not seen any of this movie series, but after reading several glowing reviews of the latest one, they are all going on my to-watch list. I read one review that said that the actors' personal lives informed the script as well. It is interesting to me how something that started out as one film has become much more complex and deep.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a great Tuesday, Wendy!
thanks Abby! I really think you will love them!
DeleteI love Ethan Hawkes,he starred in one of my favorite movies "Reality Bites" with Winona Ryder(love her).
ReplyDeleteWill check out the series!
I loved Reality Bites, too! I loved Winona's version of Little Women!
DeleteI am also looking forward to this movie and I am glad this series continues to get better. I knew my then bf who is now my DH was a keeper because he liked this film as much as I did. We even honeymooned in Vienna, a place which remains one of our favorite places to visit. It will be interesting to see them grow old together in future movies.
ReplyDeleteMarie - that is such a romantic story!!!!
DeleteI loved the first one, less the second (it seemed more "acted") but I am going to watch the third one at the movies. I bumped into Etan Hawke once (and you will be surprised it was not at my cafe) and he looked very grungy. There isn't really a movie I am dying to see this summer but I am sure there is a little gem I don't know anything about that will be worth it.
ReplyDeleteFunny - my son ran into Shia LeBouf when we were in NYC and said the same thing! Although I think he did have a bit of a man crush on him!
DeleteHi WMM, yes, I have been looking forward to this movie for a long time, I just hope our local cinemas show it. It would definitely be fantastic if they carried on the series, to follow Jesse and Celine as they age, it could be really groundbreaking actually.
ReplyDeleteI think this kind of collaboration is only possible when the people actually all like each other. I also think they make them on the cheap which probably also helps, doesn't it? I always wished that Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan would do another, but now she is so plastic surgeried that I can't imagine..
DeleteWMM, I think it might not be done because movie roles aren't abundant for older actors and actresses (especially actresses). Hollywood big whigs must older actors on the big screen don't bring in the money. There have been some very successful movies made with older actors/actresses. I loved Something's Gotta Give with Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson. Anything Meryl Streep or Tom Hanks are in now. Etc. I am not sure how much I want to watch Meg Ryan or some of these others who have had work done on their faces, though. Some work looks fine, but some of it seems to have gone very wrong.
DeleteI agree - I wish Meg had left herself alone - I so prefer to look at Meryl's real face!
DeleteI'll have to see if the first two are on Netflix. I'll need something to watch when I'm done with Breaking Bad (could the two be any different? lol). I can get impatient with overly contemplative movies, though, but maybe these are not like that. I love the idea of revisiting the characters in 9 years. It wasn't good when they semi-attempted this with Sex And The City, but it sounds like the Before Sunset series of movies is well done and I am looking forward to watching them.
ReplyDeleteI hope you like them after my ringing endorsement!
DeleteCan not say I am excited for Superman..Although Henry is a different matter. Have not seen any of the Sunset/Sunrise movies. I still would like to see the Mathew McConaughey movie "Mud". My Netflix list gets longer and longer. I am off to self tan and spray for weeds...again.
ReplyDeleteMud just got here and I think we will go this weekend! It is getting rave reviews as well. Are you spraying yourself for weeds?
DeleteI have just finished spraying for weeds. In the process I was nailed by three skeeters, destroyed multiple spider webs, and probably ate at least one spider. NOW, I am going to self tan smart ass. I am even going to do my toes, then start on Portrait of a Lady. Gonna be a good day!
DeleteI know, I was a smart ass, wasn't I! I think I ate a fly the other day! And then i just couldn't get that song out of my head: I know an old lady who swallowed a fly... YOu must have swallowed the spider to catch the fly....
DeleteWendy we are totally on the same page! I already have a dinner-and-a-movie date to see this with my neighbourhood book club on the 26th. It is being shown at our local little cinema so hopefully you'll get it at yours too. I really liked the first two but I would like to see them again, I'll have to look for them good idea!
ReplyDeleteOh I hope it comes here - if not I will be searching all over Quebec and Ontario as Mass for it when we travel!
DeleteI don't know those movies! And we have nothing on the list yet, which is a pity as my son has tickets that will need to be used by end of the month...
ReplyDeleteBy the way Wendy I love very, very much your glasses and I think you look great with them.
Take Care
Steph
Hi everyone - it's been awhile. Have been crazy busy although I have been catching up on the blogs when I can. I just re-watched the first two films in preparation for seeing Before Midnight (maybe tomorrow.) Everything right now is "maybe" as my daughter has gone past her due date and I'm waiting, trying to be patient, but can only focus on something else when I'm painting. The second film was done in "real time" which might have made it seem more "stilted" than the first one. I was disappointed in "Mud" but that often happens when something is built up too much?
ReplyDeleteHi Kathy! Glad to hear from you - I have been thinking about your daughter and wondering if she had the baby! Hope it all goes well!
DeleteI will be curious to see Mud - but as you say, really glowing reviews often oversell!