Richard Linklater's uniquely refreshing feature wonderfully captures the ebb and flow of the transient micro-universe of the small Austin Texas Town. Following the obscure lives of the town’s inhabitants, Linklater takes us on a journey of restless insight into the philosophies, obsessions and intimacies of the unassuming public. The characters seem to be on the outmost reach of the “fringe”, both in terms of geographic location and social acceptances of their ideologies, appearances and characteristics, seeming dislocated from social norms.
The Opening scene in the taxi with Linklater playing the young dreamy eyed student sets the ball rolling for the films intended plot and delivery. In the taxi he rambles on flicking from one train of thought to the next going on and on about chaos theory, alternative universes to this taxi driver who couldn’t care less. This characterizes the whole films philosophies intentionally and is why Linklater is able to convey his work so well.
With 97 characters in the film, it was paramount that Linklater capture the effortless transitions from one focused plot to the next, keeping the momentum at all times to hold the viewers attention. Linklater refuses to structure his film in terms of conventional character psychology or action, but instead on the movement of an idea. The film was at the forefront of cinematic dynamics and experimentation into the social spiders web of relative cinematography. The film captures an era in limbo, the start of a new age in technology, transforming the social interactions of humans. It was the golden age of disregard and casual flaunting of young American’s ability to question society and live out their cultish beliefs. A morbid outlook on the intellect and potential the young people behold, but with their relaxed sensibility they choose to apply this intelligence to more satirical topics of conversation. In an interview in 1994 Linklater address the differences between being lazy and being a slacker. “Daydreaming is a productive activity. Where do you get your ideas from? If you’re working all day, that kind of kills a lot. It’s also about visualizing your ideal world, both the kind of world you live in and also who you want to hang around with and what you want to spend your time doing, what are your ideal physical circumstances” He constantly tackles these ideas of idleness and it’s effects in culture and the transformation of both these elements through the 90’s.
As the film is intended, it portrays the energy and complexities of society at that point in time. Social clashes with technology and the advancement of a new century. As a film in cinematic history it stands as a marker for Linklater’s career and the transformation and success of smaller budget independent American filmmaking. The constant deliberation of the future for younger generations seems haunting, but will people take note or is western society set for a future od idle negligence.
