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DAZED AND CONFUSED
Review by Michael Jacobson
Stars: Jason London, Rory
Cochrane, Wiley Wiggins, Christin Hinojosa, Joey Lauren Adams, Ben Affleck,
Matthew McConaughey, Milla Jovovich,
Director: Richard Linklater
Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS 5.1
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1
Studio: Criterion
Features: See Review
Length: 102 Minutes
Release Date: June 6, 2006
“If I ever start referring to these as the best years of my life…remind me to kill myself.”
Dazed and Confused is one of those movies you either get or you don’t. There’s no plot, no storyline to speak of, just a cast of high school characters in 1976 doing what they do on the last day of school. For some, it’s pointless, meandering, and wallowing in a moral void. For me, I love the movie because it’s funny, it’s real, and it’s NOW.
Writer/director Richard Linklater actually crafted one of the best movies about high school ever. It’s filled with his love for the 70s, and it’s the 70s as they really were…no looking back through kitsch colored glasses. Sure, the kids drink, smoke pot, and party without consequence, but there’s no judgment at play here. The point of the movie isn’t the future. It’s today. Hell, that’s the way most teens think.
It takes place from the end of the school day until sunrise the next day. I can’t outline the plot in a simple summary, because as I mentioned…there is none. It’s just an array of kids doing what they do. No comments really on cliques, peer pressures or any of that. It’s very in the moment from start to finish, and the delight of the movie is in hanging out with the characters for 100 minutes. It doesn’t work for some. But there are plenty others like me whose love for the picture has kept it a cult favorite for more than a decade. Every time I watch it, I wish it was twice as long.
In lieu of a story description, how about a rundown of a few of the main characters? There’s Pink (London), the protagonist if you can pinpoint one, whose current dilemma is whether or not to sign a pledge not to use drugs or alcohol at the bequest of his coach. There’s Slater (Cochrane), the constant stoner with a logo on his T-shirt that will keep you laughing out loud. There are the freshmen dealing with their new torments at the hands of seniors: Mitch (Wiggins), who tries to keep his bottom out of the hands of paddle-wielding upperclassmen, and Sabrina (Hinojosa), a pretty young thing who may be sharp beyond her years.
Two of the most memorable characters: O’Banion (Affleck, in what’s still my all time favorite role for him), a senior who flunked out and is ready to take it out on anything and anybody, and Woodman (McConaughey), a guy who graduated who-knows-how-long-ago, and still hangs out with the kids because he can’t let go of his youth.
There are plenty more characters, of course, as this is an ensemble piece of the highest order. No one kid stands out any more than any other, but there are definitely people at play here who will remind you of people you knew in school. I was a kid in the 70s, but even though I didn’t reach high school or junior high in that decade, I still get the vibe, and in many ways, Linklater’s vision of the decade is the truest one ever captured on celluloid. It’s kind of like the American Graffiti of the 90s…like Lucas’ film, it’s a loving look back at two decades earlier.
I can’t say whether you’re one of the ones who will fall under the spell of Dazed and Confused, but I can recommend without reservation to give it a try. Someone introduced it to me, after all, and I’m always glad to spread the love.
Video ****
Forget former issues of this title…Criterion, as usual, has given fans the ultimate treat. This director-approved transfer looks gorgeous, with all the bright, crazy colors of the 70s coming to vibrant life in full anamorphic glory. I only noticed a touch of grain and haze here and there, but come on…it was the 70s, dude.
Audio ****
I can’t believe I haven’t mentioned this until now, but this movie boasts one of the most killer soundtracks ever. Wall to wall classic FM rock…all the best songs and best artists. And man, do they sound GREAT in 5.1 sound. Dolby Digital or DTS, you can’t go wrong. The music is loud, punchy, and gives the picture its dynamic range. Enjoy the Slow Ride.
Features ****
This two disc set boasts a bevy of fantastic features. Disc One has a terrific commentary track from Richard Linklater, who’s funny, self-effacing, and generous with his memories, ideas and experiences. There’s also a trailer and 17, count ‘em, SEVENTEEN deleted scenes.
The second disc has a superb documentary Making Dazed. Ten years in the making, it combines old and new footage of cast and crew discussing the film and what it meant to them. You can also peruse a slew of cast audition tapes, and a “beer bust” collection of on-set interviews and behind the scenes footage.
Rounding out is another terrific Criterion booklet, filled with pics, essays and more. And the cover art is pretty sweet, too.
Summary:
Dazed and Confused is a joyful slice of youthful life that almost plays out like one of your own memories. It’s fresh and funny, and a trip I don’t mind taking again and again. Criterion has done film fans a great service…they knocked one out of the park with this DVD.
