a review of 爱在午夜降临前

1st Annual Criterion Challenge Week 47: The 2010s Even messier than I had anticipated (in a good way). Linklater and the actors know these characters so well at this point, and it's great just to watch them work and bounce off of each other. The particular way in which Delpy and Hawke's relationship both deepens and curdles here feels absolutely consistent with the flaws I saw in both characters (particularly Hawke) starting from the very first film. When we get to the end and what we think may be the beginning of a reconciliation, it's still ambiguous as to whether Hawke is still on his big-speeches/grand-gestures bullshit or if this really is the beginning of a new phase for both characters. I'd be happy to see these characters again if that's in the cards, but I think Linklater is probably OK leaving things off here, and letting us decide for ourselves.