Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Before Midnight: My Thoughts and Realizations


Like sunlight, sunset, we appear, we disappear. We are so important to some, but we are just passing through...

A little secret I need to confess. I actually saw this movie two times in the cinemas. One was with one of my officemates, Ros, and the second time was with K (the guy I’m currently dating). And honestly, if one of my friends dragged me into watching the movie again, I will willingly go and watch the movie all over again. It was money well spent.

Honestly, I don’t know if I’d be disappointed or glad over the fact that only a few people watched the movie. Maybe, glad because I was able to get good seats (watching at an SM Cinema hence the free seating) or disappointed because people did not know about the movie. I guess only the ones who really followed through the Before Sunrise and Before Sunset movies were the only ones who knew about this so, I guess, not a lot of Filipinos know about them. That’s just sad.

I consider Before Sunrise to be the most romantic of the three movies; Before Sunset to be the most emotional and moving; and Before Midnight to be the most realistic. I consider Before Midnight as the epitome of a real life relationship. Here is why:


The movie focused more on showing how even the best looking relationships can be jolted by arguments and misunderstandings at times; and how, sometimes, love isn’t enough to sustain a relationship no matter how long you have been with each other or no matter how good you know your partner is. While watching the movie, I was put in a position wherein I just can’t figure out whose opinion am I leaning on.

I am a woman and I fully understand why Celine was acting all nuts and crazy and just plain paranoid. I understand why she came up with overly assessed projections and why a woman would just drop words like that. I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND. If you have been single your whole life, you may not be able to comprehend Celine’s attitude, her thoughts and her doubts.

But on a third person perspective, you cannot help but just feel bad for Jesse. True enough, although I do understand Celine’s point-of-view, her assumptions and her attitude in arguing with Jesse just seems plain shallow and downright crazy. As Jesse said it, “You are the fucking mayor of crazy town!” And because I felt connected with the way Celine pushes on her thoughts and her arguments, I just can’t help but wonder – Do I sound that ridiculous when I question my ex’s? Yes, I have become a teeny bit paranoid.


You see, women over-projects when they need security; and men just say what they mean, what they can initially think of without giving any second thoughts whether it will be appropriate or not for the situation; which leads us to the point at hand – No couple can ever be perfect because as a man and a woman, we are all imperfect in different ways. And I believe that this movie sends out a message to all the couples out there – HOLD ON.

Life is not perfect and being in a relationship is, definitely, not a bed of roses. Sure, it is all fun and sweet in the beginning – it always is. But through the whole course of the relationship, you would soon realize that you may not be able to agree on everything and that, sometimes, we can just grow tired of dealing with the same old shits over and over again. What will you do about it? Would you just give up and end the climax once and for all? As Celine said it, “This is how relationships start falling apart.” But in my own point-of-view it only falls apart when we let it.

Love and relationship are very complex issues. It’s not as easy as how romantic comedy movies or fairytales depict it to be. Don’t give up just yet and don’t walk away. Things will never be smooth sailing and you may feel like you’re falling out of love but remember what Jesse said: “You remember that guy who loved you and you had that great romance with? It's me.” Change is inevitable but love will only grow until such time when one has finally decided to give way, give up and forget.

14 comments:

  1. I think you were very brave to watch this film with the guy you are dating! Especially since you already know what it was about beforehand. I was thinking people in their sunrise years should not watch this film yet, lest they be discouraged. :)

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    1. Well, I think we've managed to handle it pretty well. We've had some realizations and we're pretty aware of how things go and we don't really do those surreal projections at the beginning so... I guess we're good. :)

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    2. I was thinking the same thing as fyhmd. Pero I realized na maybe it's ok that you guys watched it. It will put things into perspective and it can help keep you from getting unrealistic expectations about love coz it really is not all peachy. I wish I had watched movies like these when I was in my late teens/ early 20's.

      As long as you and the (lucky) guy enjoy your sunrise phase you're going to be fine. Glad to see how happy you are, esp your instagram posts. I'm reminded to do exciting stuff for me and E.

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    3. I guess it all depends upon how we look at the movie if it's an eye opener in a destructive manner or something which would help us deal with the future. :)

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  2. do I have to watch the previous 2 movies beforr5 I watched this so I could fully understand?

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    1. You don't need to. My date appreciated the movie but he hasn't seen the first two yet. Though I had him watch the first two but it was after we've seen BEFORE MIDNIGHT, itself :)

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  3. You know what I can totally relate to? "Toaster. Microwave. There's no difference!" LOLLLL

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    1. Hahahaha! That actually got me a bit confused as to what a toaster and a microwave is. HONESTLY.lol

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  4. OMG!! This I must watch SOON!!! I haven't watched the 2 previous movies though. I think I should start with those first :)

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    1. Watching the two previous movies will give you an idea on what to expect from this one :)

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  5. Lol. This is interesting to read because I found the last one to be the least realistic of them all. I guess it depends on how people were brought up and what they got used to seeing while growing up, as well. Also: I am so Celine. My arguments with my boyfriend are exactly like that: shallow and stupid. He hasn't called me "the mayor of crazy town" just yet, but he has called me "damaged". Sigh.

    http://www.lilmisswonderwoman.com

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    1. I guess there would always be a Celine in all of us. I totally understand Celine's argument and I feel like I would have said those things if I were in her shoes.

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