Linklater Ranked

"Okay guys, one more thing, this summer when you're being inundated with all this American bicentennial Fourth Of July brouhaha, don't forget what you're celebrating, and that's the fact that a bunch of slave-owning, aristocratic, white males didn't want to pay their taxes."

Happy (early) 4th of July!

There is a very specific feeling in the pit of your stomach on the last day of school. There is a very specific feeling you get when you go out with your peers, adult-free. I am unable to really describe it, but it even has a smell. Linklater's Dazed and Confused captures it.

I wouldn't say my high school experience looked like this, but I find myself relating to it because it captures this authenticity that makes me think, I swear I remember a day just like this. I wish I could make a movie like this. The casting, wardrobing, locations all attribute to this realistic look. Even with so many recognizable faces, I feel like none of these characters are being played by celebrities. The soundtrack adds a sense of excitement; you could have this movie playing at a get-together instead of a playlist and it would be wonderful. Linklater uses the camera to quietly observe, but also lets the audience invade the scene. The viewer feels like they are at the foosball hangout or in the classroom or at the kegger in the woods. This style of filming along with the soundtrack makes the film, which is really about nothing, exciting, because it feels like you're embarking on this first official night of summer too.

Dazed and Confused is the ultimate hangout movie, the ultimate summer flick, and, in many ways, the best dang period piece I have ever seen.

Side Note 1: There is a definite way to watch this movie as a film about hierarchy. It's kind of like an American version of Lindsay Anderson's If..... Kind of.

Side Note 2: "Slow Ride" was the only song I was able to play on Guitar Hero growing up.