Career highlights
Richard Linklater’s newest film, Boyhood, chronicles the (fictional) life of a boy and his family over 12 years … filmed over 12 years. It’s an intriguing premise, and the film has apparently lived up to its expectations: It’s already gathered a large pile of critical accolades. In the wake of the critical buzz around this film, there’s no better time to check out Linklater’s deep filmography. Here are some highlights from his extensive, eclectic collection of films:
Slacker (1991)
One of Linklater’s earliest films, Slacker, is quite emblematic of some of his favorite film tropes. It doesn’t have a plot in the strictest sense, but instead follows a number of young-ish bohemians in Austin, Texas for a few minutes each, listening in on whatever they have to say, and then switching to another person in the scene and following them. Linklater loves dialogue and eccentric characters with strange ideas, and doesn’t judge anyone for whatever they may be saying. Some of these characters are inspiring, others seem crazy or pretentious, but all of them together make up an entertaining indie classic.
Dazed and Confused (1993)
A look back at the often crazy and goofy 1970s, this teen comedy launched the careers of a number of famous stars, such as Matthew McConaughey, Jason London, Milla Jovovich and Ben Affleck. Praised for providing a spirited, almost anthropological approach to the 1970s, the film is relatively aimless and serves as a coming-of-age story on the last day of school in a suburb of Austin, Texas. Linklater loves making ambling movies that capture that youthful sense of uninhibited possibilities. Dazed and Confused is quite funny and stands as one of the best movies about the 1970s.
Before Sunrise (1995), Before Sunset (2004), and Before Midnight (2013)
Perhaps Linklater’s crowning achievement, this trilogy chronicles the life and love of a man and woman over three days in their life. The films each take place 9 years apart, both in the fictional world of the trilogy and in real life, and have Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy in the starring roles. The two main characters spend the series talking about a whole host of topics while falling in love in different places in the world: Vienna, Paris and Greece. They’re cerebral, visually beautiful, excellently acted and truly moving films that take a look at love across different spans of life, from the first infatuation to the difficulties of long-term relationships. These two stand as one of cinema’s best couples, inside of one of cinema’s best trilogies.
Waking Life (2001)
A rotoscoped film, meaning that film footage has been drawn over, Waking Life takes the idea of Slacker and takes it to the extreme. It’s essentially a collection of monologues, conversations, diatribes and speeches by an odd group of characters, touching on various aspects of dreams, psychology, philosophy, religion, politics and all sorts of topics suitable for big-idea discussion. Not all the ideas are meant to be weighed equally, but they’re all at least interesting to think about. Waking Life manages to act as the film adaptation of all those long talks you had freshman year with your friends about the nature of existence while also remaining quite re-watchable and making some truly inspiring statements.
School of Rock (2003)
You know it, you love it. Linklater’s foray into the world of family films comes with a heaping helping of Jack Black and classic rock music. Black stars as a wannabe rock star who fakes his way into teaching music at a posh elementary school. He instills his love of rock in his students along the way. The movie follows the stereotypical beats of family films most of the time, but it’s pretty funny and endlessly re-watchable. Also features a young and hilarious Miranda Cosgrove before she starred in Nickelodeon’s Drake & Josh and iCarly.
These are just seven of Linklater’s 23 films and projects, so even after seeing these there are still more to check out — including Boyhood. One of the premier film auteurs of a generation, Linklater has a distinct vision, often expressed in the simultaneously important and rambling conversations we so often have with our friends and anyone who will listen. Next time you’re in the mood for a good film, give Linklater a shot.
