A rare masterpiece for teen movies

Good movies about high school are hard to come by nowadays, the 80's had John Hughes but since they ended good movies about high school are few and far between. Sure there's Superbad but for everyone of those we have to endure countless brainless films with no heart or redeeming qualities. Dazed and Confused remains as a rare masterpiece, its such a simple movie yet has a much wider scope than most dramas while remains a well done comedy. This was Richard Linklater first major film as Slacker had been his debut Indie film. He has since gone on to do other popular works such as School of Rock, and other unique and interesting films like A Scanner Darkly. He has remained one of the most interesting and original film makers with a twelve year project actually being filmed for a period of twelve years in development set to be released in four years.

There is not much of a plot to Dazed and Confused, it is 1976 the last day of school of various juniors in a small town in Texas as they go about their night. Being the last day and all the juniors take part in the ritual of hazing the incoming freshmen. After finishing the hazing the rest of the night is spent trying to party, just driving aimlessly, and smoking some weed and drinking beer, before they put together a party in the woods.

Thats pretty much the plot, its simple but simplicity works to this films advantage. It doesn't take time advancing the story but it does pay attention to the characters and mood and feel of the movie. The best part about this movie besides the music is without a doubt the characters.

If there is a central character it would have to be Randall "Pink" Floyd since he gets along with just about everyone else in the film. He is the quarterback of the football team who does not want to sign a pledge having him promise not to use drugs or alcohol. His fellow team mates include Don Dawson, Melvin Spivey, and Fred O'Bannion who is repeating his senior year and has a very aggressive personality. Stoner Ron Slater who gets along with everyone and smokes a lot of weed.  There's also laid back Kevin Pickford and his hippy girlfriend Michelle. Jodi Kramer and her incoming freshmen brother Mitch who gets hazed the worst. Neurotic friends Mike Newhouse, Tony Olson, and Cynthia Dunn who don't party much but want to spend the last day of school with others. And perhaps my favorite character David Wooderson, a laid back guy who likes cars, girls, and life. While he graduated a few years before the rest of the characters he is friends with all them and cool with everybody. Together all these characters weave in and out throughout the film as they inter wind throughout. They are all interesting and get a good amount of time on each group.

The soundtrack to this film is amazing, for such a low budget film I was surprised they could afford all the songs. From the opening Aerosmith song "Sweet Emotion" to the closing notes of "Free Ride" the music plays a huge role. The use of "Schools Out" by Alice Cooper works perfectly in the montage of the last day of school. "Slow Ride" by Foghat is used twice and sounds great each time. "Free Ride" by Edgar Winter Allen group is one of my favorite songs used in the film. There's many more I could go on but the 70's rock soundtrack sounds authentic and fits with the movie very nicely.

Seeing this movie its almost crazy how much I can relate. The times may have changed but I know people like the ones in the movie, as well as situations that are similar to the ones I've been through. I wasn't alive back in 1976 but whenever I watch this movie it almost makes me sad because it makes me want to live back in that time period. Everything was so much simpler, music was better, life just seems like it was better. And by seeing what most people have to say about this movie it was dead on accurate about the time period.

The cast is filled with mostly new comers but they do an excellent job. Jason London is Randall Floyd who did a good job, he never became a big star or anything but he feels like a real teenager in the seventies. Matthew McConaughey is in an early role as David Wooderson and he is great, you don't even realize he is acting. Adam Goldberg and Anthony Rapp are both great as neurotic friends who both get off with some good lines and have their moments. Ben Affleck is in an early role as Fred O'Bannion and you sure hate him in the movie, not for his performance but for how much you hate his character. Rory Cochrane is perfect as the stoner known as Slater. Like most other actors you forget he is even acting as he has the lingo and mannerisms down. Milla Jonovich is quite good in her limited but interesting role as Michelle. There's a lot more but those are the main actors in the film and all bring something special to it.

Dazed and Confused is an excellent nostalgic film about the last day of school. Not too many films about high school are that good nowadays but this one is a certifiable classic. There's a lot of classic characters who are memorable and fun to watch, and there are a lot of them. Not too many movies focus almost solely on the characters and hardly none on the plot but Dazed and Confused does it with such ease and naturalness it doesn't even feel like a movie, it feels like your actually watching these people's lives. If you have not seen Dazed and Confused I would highly recommend its a great film that is filled with originality and subtle wit. The dialog is great and memorable and there are many humorous moments. I can't really explain too much more about why this is such a great movie but it really is, if you haven't seen it already do go see it you wont regret it.

5 stars

Cast

Randal "Pink" Floyd - Jason London

Mathew McConaughey - David Wooderson

Adam Goldberg - Mike

Anthony Rapp - Tony

Ben Affleck - Fred O'Bannion

Milla Jonovich - Michelle