From “Before Nightfall” to “Black Phone”: the best of Ethan Hawke in the 21st century

It’s true love. Eternal love. And thanks. I mean my relationship with Jesse and Celine, of course. They have their advantages and disadvantages, they maintain a certain illusion of that first meeting in Vienna but the after-effects of that meeting in Paris seem more present than ever. Along the way they grew up, they were parents, they loved each other, they scolded each other, they fought, they had sex until dawn, they wrote books and they were disappointed.

All this without leaving anything to the imagination of a spectator who has witnessed, since 1995, (almost) all the phases of love through a trilogy so surprising that it seems impossible that it went well. So extremely good. Given the choice, “Before Nightfall” not only lives up to its flawless predecessors, but it could very well be the best of them all. That level. What about Ethan Hawke? Superb like the rest of the elements that accompany it in this undeniable masterpiece.

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Sidney Lumet’s latest film, “Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead,” is a sort of circular ending to the director’s truly exciting career. And the fact is that, fifty years after that unforgettable debut called ’12 Angry Men ‘, the director ended his career with another masterpiece of powerful dramatic depth, narrative complexity and memorable characters.

A dark and captivating thriller with overwhelming internal violence that, with the invaluable help of gigantic shows like those offered by Ethan Hawke, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Albert Finney and Marisa Tomei ends up becoming one of Lumet’s roundest films. A classic in the form of farewell.

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Written and directed by Ti West, “The Valley of Vengeance” marks Blumhouse’s first and only foray into the western arena to date. And given the results, at least the strictly artistic ones, it would be nice if they repeated the move soon. Without inventing anything new, keeping intact some of the most representative and characteristic elements of the genre, the film is the protagonist some very devoted Ethan Hawke e John Travolta is very clear on both his goals and how they want to achieve them. The excuse that triggers the outbreak of violence is the pure “John Wick”, the murder of a pet turned family, but “The Valley of Vengeance” needs nothing more to orchestrate one last stretch of pure fun. A city lost in the middle of the West, a boy who has nothing to lose and several enemies united in the desire to destroy him. Rain of bullets, blood and duels in the sun. And all happy.

There are many and varied virtues in the immeasurable ‘Boyhood (Moments of a life)’ and Ethan Hawke’s interpretation, of course, is one of them. Measured and close, natural and carefree, moving without frills, the actor knows perfectly well what the film needs from his work and does it with the talent of a master. Each of his scenes is golden.

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Before joining forces again on the magnificent ‘Black Phone’, Ethan Hawke and writer / director Scott Derrickson worked together on ‘Sinister’, a horror film that has earned a cult following since its premiere, becoming one of the proposals. most celebrated in recent years in the genre. And it is a well-deserved reward, given that we are facing a film that, in addition to giving memorable fears, manages to cross the screen with its disturbing and unhealthy atmospheres, also counting on a fantastic performance by Hawke.

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Almost unanimously considered his most memorable performance, which includes both the 21st century and the rest of his career lines, that of “El reverendo” is one of those performances that overwhelm you, leave their mark, shock and hypnotize with the same firmness and almost at the same time. A work of overwhelming precision that becomes, by far, the most notable of the film’s virtues.

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Hidden gem in Ethan Hawke’s filmography, “The Captor” is a delusional comedy based on real events in which the actor demonstrates a special talent for dancing on impossible balance. An extreme character that Hawke endows with an irresistible personality and presence, thus signing another exemplary work in his collection. An interpretation and a film to be rediscovered. And claimed.

Ethan Hawke enters the skin of the legendary Chet Baker, an essential figure in the history of jazz, in ‘Born to Be Blue’, a biopic away from the formula and which embraces wit, elegance and the inevitable melancholy. A series of sensations that the film releases from the first moment and with which they marry perfectly the interpretation of a simply perfect Hawke.

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Comedy with a relaxed tone, precise rhythm and admirable fluidity, “Maggie’s Plan” uses above all a fabulous script and a cast in a state of permanent grace to rise above the remarkable. And in the latter field, in addition to a wonderful Greta Gerwig and the always dazzling Julianne Moore, we find an Ethan Hawke who it makes everything seem easier, more beautiful, more fun, better. An admirable performance in its simplicity.

Even though the sequels, most of them unnecessary, ended up weighing down his memory, “The Purge: The Night of the Beasts” continues to function as a spell as a thriller with a great starting point, an atmosphere. suffocating and a tension more than reached. A fun proposal in which Ethan Hawke has become, by far, the best of his castan ideal leader for this terrifying cinematic dawn.

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It seemed impossible to repeat the trick, but they succeeded. ‘Before Sunset’ maintains point by point all the elements that made its predecessor a classic, providing a special light in this second part of one of the best novels in the history of cinema. A magnificent sequel that, once again, found accomplices of the dream in its flagship partner. And this, of course, includes an Ethan Hawke capable of transmitting everything (absolutely everything) with only the help of his gaze and the support of that characteristic half smile.

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We barely see his face at any time, but Ethan Hawke’s every appearance in “Black Phone” is truly memorable. His work in terms of voice and gestures in this extraordinary horror film it comfortably ranks among the most outstanding achievements of a career which, seen here, still has many gifts to offer us.

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