Takes itself way too seriously

This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

The first film in this series was a great re-visit of the type of special chance meeting and shared experience that many of us live for in our youth. Pleasant characters, good chemistry, great to watch them explore a new city with interesting (and supportive) strangers. The second film was needed for closure - interesting enough, but more predictable. Nothing too special about the story, but well done and I enjoyed it. This last film was simply tedious and depressing. If not a part of this ongoing story, then I would not have sat through it all. I disagree strongly with the other reviewers who claim this represents realism and maturity. Not unless your life is filled with complaining and expectations that they world will work to serve you happiness. I don't want to include "spoilers" but suffice to say that Ethan Hawke's character was going way beyond most people's (realistic) tolerance to help a miserable situation, maybe due to the history he had with Delpy's character?

Because of the great reviews, I expected a profound film that delved into the emotional life of two, long-married people struggling with children, work, and life. What a mistake! Very superficial story line, where we are tortured into seeing two people bickering through the whole film without feeling connected to why they are so bitter and arguing; except that they are.How many writers do most of us know or people who have the time, money, and luxury to travel back and forth to Europe? I don't know about you, but I can't recall the last time I could afford a vacation or even a motel room for that matter. Conversations in the film are so contrived like the characters that no one can take either the characters or the lines they utter as realistic. Discussions on pop culture, politics, and feminism are discussed on the most superficial levels possible. For example, Celine hates her job, but argues about the importance of a woman having a job, because it's empowering? First of all, most women don't have that luxury; economically they are forced to work. Second, who argues that having a job that you feel exploited and hate is empowering? Gorbachev as an amazing statesman. Really? Wasn't he the charlatan who argued against the affordability of bread, destroyed the Soviet Union, and prostituted himself in Louis Vuitton commercials. If the writer had delved a little into politics beyond the superficial headlines maybe he would have known something about Gorbachev. The only likable scene in this whole film is at a banquet among friends. It is the only time you hear any meaningful or interesting banter and dialogue. Thanks of course to the writer ripping off lines from Bergman's film Private Confessions. My recommendation: don't rent this film unless you are a masochist.

So, this movies is supposed to show us how people in "mature" relationships behave. Maybe it's appealing for people, who as these two didn't find true love in their lives and by watching this movie, they can say- hey, our relationship isn't THAT bad. Or some people may like, that this movie sort of proves a point about long lasting love not being possible in this world. Boo-hoo. This movie would be believable if we didn't got to know the characters in the previous movies. Those two seemed perfect for each other- they could talk about little things and just enjoy life. Or so it seemed. I can't imagine such chatty and open people to not be able to talk about their feelings, fears and insecurities for 9 years of their relationship. And the fight seemed, like it was the first one after 9 years together! I'm really sorry for the person, whose life this movie describes. I would rather just listen to their friends life stories at the dinner table for the whole movie, than this. And the ending? If it's supposed to show us, how people can overcome even the worst fights, because of love, then it has totally missed the point. If it shows us how we can expect a breakup after the movie, than what't she point? I think it's painful to see people praising such a movie for being so realistic. It just shows the state of mind of so many people, that is sadness, hopelessness and egoism.

Linklater has to be a top director of all time for dialogue. The fight at the end was so visceral and intense. You keep seeing signs of resolve but they continually resort back to fighting. It felt so painfully real and I bet any older couple that's been together longer than 4 or 5 years could relate to most of it. Additionally, all the conversation topics throughout the film are riveting and have you reflecting on the movie to give some of the topics a second thought. Just like the other two films. Originally I wasn't too happy with the addition of semi-prominent characters other than Jesse and Celine but after a couple of watches, I've grown to enjoy their role. They shed a nice contrasting light on other relationships and stages of relationships.Warning: I watched these movies with my girlfriend and they had us over-examining our own relationship.