I think what's going to stick with me about this trilogy is how it makes me look at monogamy and relationships. It says everything to me that I enjoy Before Sunrise (1995) more than the rest of the trilogy. Am I valuing Hawke's and Delpy's raw and youthful energy? The whimsical nature of the first film hooked me, I was so captivated by the organic dialogue and the chemistry between the two actors.

Of course I am in love with the earliest installment, as I said in my review of Before Sunset, isn't that so true to life? I have surely always been in love with "how it used to be" with many partners, not how it *is*. What's great is that this is hammered home in Before Midnight. The hotel scene really does portray how I've felt towards the end of long term relationships. Appeasement, resentment, compromise, resignation and yet the continuing urge to keep the passion alive.

I do love that here, in the middle stages of their shared lives, they're having real, gendered conversations. Jesse (Hawke) with his bitter ambition and defensiveness, Celine (Delpy) with her firey hope mixed with deep fear, fear that she may become a submissive housewife in the face of Jesse's worklife.

A strong 8, the Before Trilogy somehow threads the needle of authenticity and continuity. I will return to it when I am older.