On the surface, Richard Linklater's film, Dazed and Confused, appears to be little more than another entry into the teen party-comedy genre, of which films are usually a dime a dozen. But it's Linklater, so you know there'll be more to it than that, and in fact there is - all that mid-70s nostalgia! Filmed in 1993, but set in '76, the movie focuses on an epic party on the last day of school. (Sound familiar, Superbad fans? Aside from the classic rock backdrop of Dazed, the two could be the same film.) The plot's nothing to speak of, but it doesn't have to be; the movie's many moments of sheer hilarity and eye-opening depiction of high school life in the 70s have got its back.
I myself was not a teenager, or in fact ALIVE in the 1970s, so I can't comment on the film's accuracy. However, I will say that if this IS accurate, I'm glad to have grown up when I did. Sure, everyone seemed to be on decent terms with each other in this, the time before cliques. But that said, certain personae make ones teeth grind to pure sawdust, so maybe it's a blessing to not have to deal with the likes of Parker Posey's dictator-esque cheerleader Darla, for example. Or better yet, Ben Affleck's O'Bannion, the senior who flunked on purpose so as to be able to terrorize freshmen for one more year. Charming.
In spite of these missteps, the rest of the ensemble cast is pretty terrific, and delivers laughs from all angles. Most of those laughs come from one Ron Slater (Rory Cochrane), who's destined for that certain plateau of greatness alongside Mike Damone and John Bender for teen comedy roles that transcend their meandering genre. Having known many a lazy stoner in my life, I can not only confirm the accuracy of Cochrane's performance but assert it as absolutely hilarious. Want proof? Check out his speculation on alleged cult involvement and marijuana use by, yes, George Washington.
Not a GREAT film by any means, but for one I wasn't expecting to like, Dazed and Confused certainly delivers.
2.5 stars out of 4
6/10
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