The Before Trilogy directorRichard Linklaterrecently expressed his openness to revisiting this acclaimed film series. His words, “never say never,” suggest a potential return to Jesse and Celine’s story.
Over a decade has passed since the release ofBefore Midnight, the third installment of Linklater’s Before trilogy. This series has charmed viewers with its nuanced exploration of romance and time, following the evolving relationship between its protagonists, Jesse and Celine, portrayed by Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy, respectively.
Speaking withComicBook, while promoting his latest movieHit Man, Linklater said:
Never say never. I mean, we did kind of blow past our nine-year whatever thing, but we weren’t too precious about that. You know, it’s like that was kind of arbitrary to begin with. We’ll do it when it makes sense, when those characters have something to say.
Before Sunrise
Despite breaking the pattern of revisiting the characters every nine years, Linklater emphasized the importance of timing and relevance in continuing the story.
“Maybe it makes sense as you get older, you don’t, you know, it’s less urgent or something, but I don’t think it ever goes away. So, who knows? Who the hell knows. Certainly nothing on the boards.”
Fans who fell in love with the intellectual meanderings and romantic tensions of the couple from their first encounter in 1995’sBefore Sunriseto their complex life together inBefore Midnighthave long hoped for another visit into their lives. Linklater’s reflection on the aging of his characters and their stories brings an interesting aspect to the possibility of a fourth film. He mused about how the urgency of life’s questions may diminish with age but the essence of those queries about love, life, and purpose remains ever-present.
The Before Trilogy - Two Decades, Three Cities, One Unforgettable Love Story
The Before Trilogy presents thefascinating story of Jesse and Celinethat spans nearly two decades, exploring the complexities of their evolving relationship. The films, starting withBefore Sunrise(1995), follow the serendipitous meeting of Jesse, an American student, and Celine, a French student, aboard a train to Vienna. What begins as a chance encounter deepens into a meaningful exploration of connection as the pair spends a night roaming Vienna, discussing life and love before parting at sunrise with a promise to reconnect.
This promise and its consequences unfold in the subsequent films. InBefore Sunset(2004), we meet Jesse and Celine again in Paris. Nine years have passed, and Jesse, now a married author, encounters Celine while on a book tour. Their afternoon together is filled with conversations reflecting on their missed connection and the paths their lives have taken. As the film closes, Jesse is seen making the decision to stay in Paris with Celine, suggesting a deeper commitment.
Jesse and Céline’s Relationship Timeline in the Before Trilogy, Explained
Richard Linklater’s Before trilogy follows the romance of Jesse and Céline over the course of 20 years, from a chance encounter to marriage.
Before Midnight(2013) revisits the couple another nine years later during a vacation in Greece with their twin daughters. The film looks deeper into the intricacies of long-term commitment, spotlighting an intense argument about familial obligations and personal dreams, which encapsulates their ongoing struggles and growth as a couple. Despite the tensions, the narrative closes with them choosing to stay together, showing the enduring, albeit tested, nature of their bond.
