365 Days. 365 Films.

Dazed and Confused is one of Richard Linklater’s earlier films which consequently led to him making films like School of Rock and other

highly praised movies. Set in the 1970s, this film is about the last day of school, the initiation of freshers and the lack of parties happening on their last school day before summer. There’s really not much to the plot but it’s surprising how the film managed to maintain my attention, potentially due to the fresh, off-angled script and the array of (now) well known talents such as Matthew McConaughey, Milla Jovovich, Parker Posey and Ben Affleck.

Linklater’s script is well written and consistent with the characters, providing a well-rounded view of each and every stereotype. Stereotypes are always evident in high school films, but this gives a broader and less typical portrayal of them. It’s a more honest film which, evident by the screenplay, is not afraid to voice some of the social concerns and taboos of the 1970s.

Despite being set in the 70s and made in the early 90s, this has a very modern feel in the cinematography and the characters, expressing a lot of standards for filmmaking that made Linklater such a great director. This really is a breeding ground for talent and a great start for a lot of the cast and crew, although the focus is flinching and none of the characters are ever studied thoroughly in the direction which lets it down slightly. With the avoidance of stereotypes in the characters and the plot, this film could have been a lot more interesting with a deeper insight.

The film has a great soundtrack with a feel good attitude, both of which are fairly standard for high school films, but where this film is different is the portrayal of the genre’s typical characters. Imagine a more hardcore version of The Breakfast Club and you have Dazed and Confused.