Dazed and Confused — A Worthy Coming of Age Staple
“You just gotta keep livin’ man.
L-I-V-I-N.”
Date watched: June 29, 2020
Date released: 1993
Director: Richard Linklater
Writer: Richard Linklater
Memorable cast: Matthew McConaughey (David Wooderson), Jason London (Randall ‘Pink’ Floyd), Ben Affleck (Fred O’Bannion), Wiley Wiggins (Mitch Kramer)
Awards
This coming of age story follows a group of high schoolers in 1976’s Austin, Texas. While having no obvious main character, there are a few main characters such as incoming freshman Mitch Kramer, senior football player Randall ‘Pink’ Floyd, senior football player and bully Fred O’Bannion, and an older already graduated friend David Wooderson. On the last day of school the audience follows initiation rituals for incoming freshman, frequent weed consumption, and the search for a party which culminates to form an unforgettable day.
Despite its seemingly cheesy premise and lack of moving plot, this movie preforms well. There are creative shots, unexpected twists, and good acting (I mean look at the cast, there are two Academy Award winners). For being a movie set two decades before its’ time the costumes, hairstyles, and set designs are realistic while also incorporating a variety of colors. The shots were so pleasing to the eye that if you were to not pay attention to them, they would only help the story continue its pace. But, when you look deeper I appreciated Linklater’s use of birds-eye, worms-eye, interesting pov, faraway, full body, and not cheesy slow motion shots. The music was also compelling and felt authentic for the time without being too distracting. The writing of the story is also well done being that it is a light hearted and somewhat comedic movie.
The most important factor of this story is the nostalgia. Even though it does include some problematic behavior, it makes me crave that simplistic yet fun high school experience. But, I mean I go to an all-girl catholic high school, so I get that I would never have this experience anyways. For a movie to make a child 40 decades removed from the setting so deeply connected to the story shows how universal and important this movie will be forever.
Rating: 7/10
I would definitely watch this movie again and recommend it for others to watch, but it is not the most special or outstanding film despite it’s beauty.
This is on my All Time Favorites List.
June 29, 2020