Dazed and Confused (1993)

As always, spoilers below.

To mix it up from soul-crushingly depressing movies, it's time to talk about something fun, man.

That's exactly what Dazed and Confused is. A fun movie. I enjoy it every time I watch it. It's not complicated; it's just some kids trying to have a good time and that really resonates with me. Some good news is that there is supposedly a spiritual sequel coming out this spring by the same writer/director called Everybody Wants Some.

I think that it is an interesting movie because of the supporting cast. We get a look at McConaughey, Ben Affleck, and Milla Jovoich before they were huge stars. It's also kind of neat to see that the three actors mentioned were at least around high school age (McConaughey - 24, Affleck - 21, Jovoich - 18). 



Also a knock off Mark Hamill on the top row, second to the left.


Let's get started, dude.

Soundtrack/Score:

For a movie that hyped up Aerosmith so much, there was surprisingly little Aerosmith in the soundtrack.


Aerosmith, two weeks. Don't forget.

The soundtrack was comprised of popular music in the mid 70's which obviously fit the movie well because it also happened to be set in the mid 70's. Songs included "Livin In The USA" by Steve Miller, "Rock n' Roll All Nite" by KISS, and "Slow Ride" by Foghat. Songs that really remind you of an all American summer. The soundtrack really puts the viewer in a good mood and helps to reinforce the positive attitude of the movie. 

Writing/Script: 

Overall this is a pretty funny movie. There's a lot going on but the main story is just a bunch of kids are trying to get wasted and they need a place to do it. Sounds like a typical Monday night to me. The movie is really reminiscent of a time long passed where kids (and parents for that matter) felt safe enough to move around the town at all times and in all varying states of awareness. There isn't a scene at the Moon Tower where the cops bust the party. They just run out of beer. Everyone leaves on their own terms. If this movie was set in this decade, half of it would be about cramming into someone's shitty two bedroom apartment and paying five dollars only to find out that the beer had all ran out 20 minutes ago. The other half would consist of the host telling everyone to "shut the fuck up, the cops are outside!" and then paying a surge fee for an Uber back home.


Am I bitter? Maybe.

Other than the great times depicted, the movies has a lot of very quotable lines that have entered my vernacular and have stayed there for years. I am willing to bet money that each and everyone of you has at one point in your life said "alright, alright, alright" (mainly because I only have three readers). Basically anything Wooderson (McConaughey) said I have incorporated into my life.


I'm trying Woody, I'm trying.

"It'd be a lot cooler if you diid." Jesus I love his character. I don't even care that he's a 24 year old man schmoozing on high school girls. 

But other than just Woodersonisms, Dazed and Confused gave us gems like "oh, an observation, huh? Well who the hell are you, man? Isaac fucking Newton?", "you cool, man?", and "now me and my loser friends are gonna head out to buy Aerosmith tickets. Top priority."

Also something about the community that the writers create feels so American. It just makes you feel good that some insignificant story like this one could have happened; that these kids could have forgotten about adult responsibilities for one night and had some fun. Not all people on this Earth have that leisure. Makes you appreciative of where we were born. 

The movie also reminds me of summer and I'm all about that. Granted, the movie is about the first day of summer but it really reminds me of my group of friends trying to find something to do and somewhere to do it every summer night. I don't have a lot of summers like that left.


10 years later, Slater realizes that an internship or two during the summer might have gotten him out of retail.



How Well It Holds Up: 

The movie is set in the summer of 1976. Things were different back then. It was socially acceptable to wear overalls even if you weren't a farmer. You could buy alcohol at 18 (at least in Texas, where the film is set). Truly a glorious time to be alive. But other than that the movie doesn't have any crazy scenes that require special effects. It is a simple story and because of this I think Dazed and Confused will hold up for another 20 years (yeah, this movie came out over 20 years ago).


Make America Great Again!

Acting:

So I'm not going to say that the movie had any amazing performances because it didn't. A lot of the minor characters were very stiff in their delivery. A lot of the main characters were inexplicably cheesy. I feel like some of this is intentional though because the movie doesn't exactly take itself seriously. It's meant to be a fun movie, not a drama.

I'd like to take more time to praise how hilarious Wooderson was again. Best part of the entire movie for me.


Personal role model.

What Issues It Tackles:

Dazed and Confused is a one-part coming of age, one-part  'live for yourself' movie. It discusses things like relationships with women, the importance of fun, and again, living for yourself. Quitting the football team because you hate the person you are with the team. Going after that babe even though she's older than you. Stepping out of your comfort zone and making new friends. Plus a nerd with a mullet decks the shit out of some asshole and I'm all about that.


He may have written a check that his ass couldn't cash, but I respect him for it nonetheless.


After all is said and done, this is a great comedy and something really easy to watch. It doesn't provoke deep thought but then again it wasn't meant to. It's just trying to have a good time, man.

My rating: A soft 7.

--Mat

(Thanks so much to Julie for the request.)


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