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| Dazed and Confused directed/written by Richard Linklater |
1) Relate
what was discussed in class or the text to the screening.
In 1993 Richard Linklater’s Dazed
and Confused hit theatres, yet it did so not with a bang but with a
whisper. With an estimated budget of 6.9 million the film only managed to rake
in roughly 8 million. By no means was the film considered a success to the
studio. Today the film stands proud as highly beloved by many; it is the
definition of a “cult classic”: a film that, when released, wasn't popular in
the mainstream. However, it later garnered a very devoted (if somewhat small)
following. With that said it is possible for the cult classic to transcend its
cult status and be considered a classic. Dazed
and Confused is a perfect example to prove the rule.
Set in May of 1976, on the last day of the school year in a
small Texas town, Dazed and Confused follows several of these teenagers among
what seems like disparate routines that ultimately coincide in a cathartic
party at the “Moon tower”. The former Juniors now Seniors take full reigns of their
newfound status and celebrate by getting intoxicated, punishing freshman, and
hooking up. The film manages to capture the atmosphere and tone of High School
life perfectly. All the atypical archetypes are to be found. There is the film’s
protagonist Randall “pink” Floyd as the jock with authority issues, the
incoming freshman already feelings the pains (both literal and figurative) of
bullying, the group of geeks looking to expand their horizons, the graduate who
can’t seem to let go and more. What the film may lack in spectacular
cinematography or ground breaking surrealism it more than makes up for with
honest story telling. It likes getting a front row seat to a real place in
time, the characters feel genuine. We all knew someone like these characters in
High School, some of them may have even been you.
2) Find a related
article (on the film, director, studio, actor/actress, artistic content,
etc.) and summarize the
content. You may use the library or the internet.
Dazed And Confused was no wistful remembrance of high school
By Kyle Ryan
The article (while admittedly short) essentially questioned how
many translate the films many exploits, challenging its nostalgic effect. A
common notion among fans of the film is to view it as a tribute to some of the
best times of our lives, a joyous event now long gone. Some consider it a time
of revelry with a taste of adulthood minus all the baggage. Ryan sought to
challenge the notion of the film being a fond look back. Instead he sees it as
posing a “nebulous existential concern”, questioning how some deem this portion
of their life as the best of times. He even quotes Linklaters own words to
further his point:
“Really, any person with a brain should hate high school.
How can you like being completely oppressed by an atmosphere of
authority and submission, with mind-indoctrination abounding? If you have a
brain, you’re hoping just to survive and get out—and then you can, like, quest
for real freedom.” (Richard Linklater)
It is easy to support his argument. None of the adults in the
film are portrayed in the most positive light: The father who ruins the party,
the coaches centered on winning, the completely oblivious store clerk who sells
beer to a minor. Maybe it just serves to depict how most teens view their mature
counterparts, a dark glimpse of what is to come. The freshmen are preyed upon
by the seniors, made to commit degrading acts and submit to corporal
punishment. So it is a viable argument.
3) Apply the article to
the film screened in class. How did the article support or change
the way you thought about the film, director, content, etc.?
Ryan’s article did actually make me take a step back and reassess
the film as a whole. Ultimately I determined that the film doesn’t relegate
itself to presenting just one facet of high school life. Along with the
torturous treatment of the younger crowd, the bitchy banter among the ladies there
is the connections among these kids. There are redeeming moments. The
introverted freshman finds a newfound confidence, the jock comes to cathartic
realization about doing things on his terms, and one meek young man finally
steps up and challenges the alpha male (despite getting his ass kicked).
Essentially I think some people may have been projecting their own
personal experiences on the film. Some people hated high school, others loved
it, and it’s just that simple. Pink says near the end of the film that he will
kill himself if these are the best years of his life, and I wholly agree.
Despite whatever anxiety ridden teenagers believe those years are not the end
all be all of life. You’re not going to die because he/she broke up with you,
or because you didn’t make the team. Basically, high school is a memorable
experience, but one of many we will have. You live and learn.
4) Write a critical
analysis of the film, including your personal opinion, formed as
a result of the screening, class discussions, text material and the
article.
There are many films that attempt to capture the essence of teen
life, specifically the high school experience, yet few do it well. As anyone
who has survived the angst ridden turmoil that is teen Dom knows, high school
goes beyond the classes and the books. It’s about the girls, the clicks, the
popularity and yes even getting laid. At the time it may seem like those 4
years are as good as it gets, at others it emulates torture. Dazed and confused
got it right. Even though the film is set in 1976, audiences can relate to
these characters and their experiences.
Linklater manages to expose all the prototypes that inherently
accompany high school, even years later. The jocks that rule the school, the
bullies both male and female, the gorgeous girls in tight outfits, the gangling awkward
freshman, the hot teacher (Mrs. Keys was mine), the geeks, the cool guy, the
out-of-his-mind stoner, the older guy still hanging onto to glory days, the
imposing parents, and so much more. He does so while capturing those moments we
tell stories of years later.
The ensemble cast was great; the film is also
packed with many would be stars, and a few flashes in the pan. Ben Affleck,
Mathew McConaughey, Milla Jovavich and Parker Posey are just a few actors who would go on to successful
careers. The superb soundtrack should also be noted, it applied itself naturally to the setting of the film and to each scene it accompanied.
By no means can I say this film is for everybody, but I struggle
to find people who dislike it. It takes a slice of life and puts it on the screen
for audiences, all while doing so with comedic delight and a few poignant
themes on living in the moment and looking ahead. It deserves to be mentioned
with other cult classics, and is one of those films that sadly found its
audience after the fact.
Plagiarism
Statement: Attach this to the end of every journal assignment.
CHECKLIST FOR PLAGIARISM
1) ( x ) I have not handed in this assignment for any other
class.
2) ( x ) If I reused any information from other papers I
have written for other classes, I clearly explain that in the paper.
3) ( x ) If I used any passages word for word, I put
quotations around those words, or used indentation and citation within the
text.
4) ( x ) I have not padded the bibliography. I have used
all sources cited in the bibliography in the text of the paper.
5) ( x ) I have cited in the bibliography only the pages I
personally read.
6) ( x ) I have used direct quotations only in cases where
it could not be stated in another way. I cited the source within the paper and
in the bibliography.
7) ( x ) I did not so over-use direct quotations that the
paper lacks interpretation or originality.
8) ( x ) I checked yes on steps 1-7 and therefore have been
fully transparent about the research and ideas used in my paper.
Name: Benjamin F. M. Novoa
Date: 3/22/2104
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