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111 reviews for:
Alright, Alright, Alright: The Oral History of Richard Linklater's Dazed and Confused
Melissa Maerz
4.46 AVERAGE
111 reviews for:
Alright, Alright, Alright: The Oral History of Richard Linklater's Dazed and Confused
Melissa Maerz
4.46 AVERAGE
My catnip.
Side note: I would like someone to do a book length oral history of Almost Famous.
Side note: I would like someone to do a book length oral history of Almost Famous.
I read this book in a matter of hours, I could hardly put it down. One of my all-time favorite movies in this book is everything; A must-read for fans. Review to come.
An insightful, funny and surprising book about the making of the greatest teen movie of all time.
Fascinating look at the making of one of my favorite films. In May 1976, like many of the characters in Dazed and Confused, I was a rising senior. It was in NH, not Texas, but so much of this film rings true to me. Not just the aimless cruising and searching for a party, but also the freshman hazing and the feeling that you were stuck, but also on the verge of something, maybe not better, but definitely different. And that was close enough to better to be alright.
It's especially poignant reading this book because Linklater, his crew, and his cast were all in that same place - hoping to be on the verge of something different. Over the years some have gone on to bigger and better things, while some have just gone on livin'.
While it's mostly a fun, fast read, there is some darkness here. I'm especially bothered by Chapter 21, which focuses on the actresses' relationships with each other, several of which were toxic. After reading Parker Posey's memoir a while back, I wasn't at all surprised to see that she's always been a mean "God, why can't you take a joke" girl. I wasn't expecting to learn that Joey Lauren Adams joined her in that behavior. You'd think that almost 30 years later they might show some remorse for their unkind behavior towards fellow actresses, but nope.
Overall, an excellent entry in the oral history genre.
It's especially poignant reading this book because Linklater, his crew, and his cast were all in that same place - hoping to be on the verge of something different. Over the years some have gone on to bigger and better things, while some have just gone on livin'.
While it's mostly a fun, fast read, there is some darkness here. I'm especially bothered by Chapter 21, which focuses on the actresses' relationships with each other, several of which were toxic. After reading Parker Posey's memoir a while back, I wasn't at all surprised to see that she's always been a mean "God, why can't you take a joke" girl. I wasn't expecting to learn that Joey Lauren Adams joined her in that behavior. You'd think that almost 30 years later they might show some remorse for their unkind behavior towards fellow actresses, but nope.
Overall, an excellent entry in the oral history genre.
Love the film. The book is an outstanding description of the process and the community surrounding the creation of this Linklater masterpiece.
"It's not the championship fight that made me who I was. I became who I was in some fight along the way that no one would ever recognize as important" - Richard Linklater
A toast to the greatest cult movie that found it's audience outside the cinema, passed on in video-rental shops to great acclaim. A movie nostalgic, or anti-nostalgic , is approaches it's own generational nostalgia lens.
Director Richard Linklater's devotion toward the creative process, and living to create, is described gloriously from his Super 8 initial projects, to the Austin indie breakout "Slacker", and then the 6-million indie studio backing project "Dazed and Confused". The cut-up interviews back for a really fun slice into young people wanting to contribute and being their own artistic journey.
Linklater's own insouciance toward the meaning of the film is apparent in all of his philosophical journeying movies. He states at one point "everybody has some relation to the high schooler they once were. they're still fighting the same battles. Or they're contemplating them. I think with "Dazed", I was belatedly working through that stage of life, how odd my town was, how brutal the initiation rituals were. I still don't know what to think about it. (p.13).
Like a lot of people, I wouldn't ever want to go back to high school, even if i could. Those insecure wayward years are in the rearview, and i'm blessed to be more tapped into the fun and social scene I want now. But the movie magic makes you consider that dream teenager life. That little McConauhey voice repeating in the back of your head. “It'd be a lot cooler if you did.”
A toast to the greatest cult movie that found it's audience outside the cinema, passed on in video-rental shops to great acclaim. A movie nostalgic, or anti-nostalgic , is approaches it's own generational nostalgia lens.
Director Richard Linklater's devotion toward the creative process, and living to create, is described gloriously from his Super 8 initial projects, to the Austin indie breakout "Slacker", and then the 6-million indie studio backing project "Dazed and Confused". The cut-up interviews back for a really fun slice into young people wanting to contribute and being their own artistic journey.
Linklater's own insouciance toward the meaning of the film is apparent in all of his philosophical journeying movies. He states at one point "everybody has some relation to the high schooler they once were. they're still fighting the same battles. Or they're contemplating them. I think with "Dazed", I was belatedly working through that stage of life, how odd my town was, how brutal the initiation rituals were. I still don't know what to think about it. (p.13).
Like a lot of people, I wouldn't ever want to go back to high school, even if i could. Those insecure wayward years are in the rearview, and i'm blessed to be more tapped into the fun and social scene I want now. But the movie magic makes you consider that dream teenager life. That little McConauhey voice repeating in the back of your head. “It'd be a lot cooler if you did.”
A comprehensive behind the scenes history of Dazed: including the actors, crew, and Linklater himself.
Fantastic History of a Great Movie
I love oral histories of film and television. This is a great one. The making from start to finish of Dazed and Confused, straight from the mouths of the creators, crew, and actors involved. Great to see how a movie is made, changed, lost and won…step by step. If you love this movie or want to know how a movie is really made and who goes through everyone’s minds, on set and off, this is a great book.
I love oral histories of film and television. This is a great one. The making from start to finish of Dazed and Confused, straight from the mouths of the creators, crew, and actors involved. Great to see how a movie is made, changed, lost and won…step by step. If you love this movie or want to know how a movie is really made and who goes through everyone’s minds, on set and off, this is a great book.
I love the movie and was so excited about this book but guess I'm not superfan enough to give it the glowing review most have. The interview snippets offered occasionally interesting tidbits and insights. But a lot of it felt like filler.