Dazed Nostalgia

Yesterday I picked up the Criterion Collection's package of Dazed and Confused. Richard Linklater's breakthrough 1993 effort created American Graffiti for the 70's generation.

Linklater was one of the pioneers of the 90's Indie Film Movement along with my favorites workaholic Robert Rodriguez, dialogue master Kevin Smith, and motormouth Quentin Tarrantino.

Linklater is more subdued in his efforts, choosing to stay closer to the real indie feel. He really hasn't had a huge blockbuster Pulp Fiction style hit (besides School of Rock and Bad News Bears but it was a remake so therefore disqualified in my opinion) as his peers have.

His films are more likely to place you in an olympic sized pool of nostalgia. Whether it is a lost ill fated love, the high school experience, hanging out with your best friends, or just ranting about the world's ills and beauty, Linklater is your boy.

Dazed and Confused is a great romp through what it was like to be in high school in the 70's. A little backstory on myself. I was in elementary school in the 70's but my parents had taken into our home two high school aged brothers. They taught me about football, chess, and the Doobie Brothers. I would frequently go to the drive in with one of them and while he wanted to make out with his girlfriend he would have a couple of high school girls watch me in their car. That happened a few times and was great fun!

We would then go out afterwards and usually cruise and chase his friends around town or wind up at the arcade or a local food drive in to hang out. That was my high school 70's experience which is very close to Linklater's vision.

Just a bunch of kids hanging out with a soundtrack of the best bands that the 70's had to offer. So with Aerosmith and a orange GTO pulling into a parking lot, Dazed and Confused kicks off this trip into nostalgia.

There have been so many films that immortalize nearly every generation but there is something perfect about the portrayal of Linklater's 70's in Dazed and Confused for me. Something subtle but feels totally tangible.

Included with the Criterion Collection's set area great number of extras. You get your money's worth. Pick it up, enjoy it, experience it.