Description

Book Synopsis

Richard Linklater's trilogy of romantic dramas, Before Sunrise (1995), Before Sunset (2004), and Before Midnight (2013), follows the evolving love story of Jesse (played by Ethan Hawke) and Céline (played by Julie Delphy) over the course of nearly two decades. With the release of each subsequent film, the series' reputation has grown, enchanting and engaging new audiences.

Lucas Hilderbrand reflects on the experience of falling of love with, living with, and having one's own life shaped by the Before trilogy. He offers a close reading of each of the Before films, considering the extent to which they operate beyond the generic norms of romantic comedy or melodrama, incorporating aspects of realism and naturalism through their location shooting, long takes, and near-real time temporality. He positions the films within their historical contexts, as time capsules of their respective moments, considering the impact of evolving politics and technologies, and how they impact or interrupt the characters' intimacy. All the while, he pays attention to the films'' subjective impact on viewers over 18 years.

The Before Trilogy

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    A Paperback by Lucas Hilderbrand

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      Book details

      Publisher Bloomsbury
      Imprint Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
      Published 1/13/2025
      ISBN-13 9781839028021
      978-1839028021
      ISBN-10 1839028025
      Also in:
      Entertainment Films, cinema

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      Richard Linklater's trilogy of romantic dramas, Before Sunrise (1995), Before Sunset (2004), and Before Midnight (2013), follows the evolving love story of Jesse (played by Ethan Hawke) and Céline (played by Julie Delphy) over the course of nearly two decades. With the release of each subsequent film, the series' reputation has grown, enchanting and engaging new audiences.

      Lucas Hilderbrand reflects on the experience of falling of love with, living with, and having one's own life shaped by the Before trilogy. He offers a close reading of each of the Before films, considering the extent to which they operate beyond the generic norms of romantic comedy or melodrama, incorporating aspects of realism and naturalism through their location shooting, long takes, and near-real time temporality. He positions the films within their historical contexts, as time capsules of their respective moments, considering the impact of evolving politics and technologies, and how they impact or interrupt the characters' intimacy. All the while, he pays attention to the films'' subjective impact on viewers over 18 years.

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