The Hedonistic 70s

Dazed and Confused (1993) – A Review

Director ~ Richard Linklater

Producers ~ Richard Linklater, Sean Daniel, James Jacks

Writer ~ Richard Linklater

Starring ~ Jason London, Rory Cochrane, Wiley Wiggin, Adam Goldberg, Matthew McConaughey, Parker Posey, Milla Jovovich, Ben Affleck

Derived from the name of a Led Zeppelin song, Dazed and Confused looks at the youth culture of the 1970s in a similar way that ‘American Graffiti’ did for the 1960s. Capturing the essence of the rebellious, pot smoking 70s teenager, this movie boasts a fantastic soundtrack and fun vibe. It follows a group of high graduates enjoying their final night, and the induction of the young, freshmen ‘meat’ who will ultimately follow in their footsteps to become the next senior class.  The hazing rituals are borderline sadistic, which juxtapose the otherwise relaxed atmosphere of the film. Linklater perfectly captures this laid back attitude with a talented ensemble cast and hilarious script. The characters are almost caricatures of American high school clichés with the paddle bearing macho-jock, played perfectly by Ben Affleck and the typical stoner kid (Rory Cochrane). It displays a time in teen's lives where all that really matters is hanging out with your friends and 'ruling' the school.

It is not an overly complex or meaningful film but it perfectly captures the hedonism of the 70s in a raw manner. The movie is unstructured and ends with the football star rebelling against ‘The Man’ who tries to get him to sign a behavioral contract in order to stay on the team. However, this lack of structure reflects the nature of the era. Personally, I loved it because it doesn’t try to reach too far out of what it is – a coming of age high school film about a lost decade of carelessness and revolution.

This is a photo I fell in love with of my friend, Amy's, afro haired mother smoking a cigarette on the grass with that free spirited joy that sums up what the 70s were all about.

The 70s were times following years of war, and individuals being boxed into superficial stereotypes as dictated by society, where people fought for freedom and the right not to govern their lives by rules. Maybe it was not the most productive way of thinking, but it was a different one and for that reason I love the 1970s and I love this film.

Favourite Quotations ~

Mike: I'm just trying to be honest about being a misanthrope.

Mitch: Man I hate that guy!

Simone: You act like you're so oppressed. You guys are kings of the school. What are you bitching about?

Cynthia: I'd like to quit thinking of the present, like right now, as some minor, insignificant preamble to somethin' else.

Tony: NeoMcCarthyism, I like that.

Wooderson: Man, it's the same bullshit they tried to pull in my day. If it ain't that piece of paper, there's some other choice they're gonna try and make for you. You gotta do what Randall Pink Floyd wants to do man. Let me tell you this, the older you do get the more rules they're gonna try to get you to follow. You just gotta keep livin' man, L-I-V-I-N.

Wooderson: That's what I love about these high school girls, man. I get older, they stay the same age.