I don't think I have ever seen Dazed and Confused before, but recently I had noticed a bit of a pattern forming: the film's name would appear everywhere quite suddenly. Referenced in films or shows I had been watching, or seeing it discussed online. It felt as if the universe was screaming out at me to finally watch the film, and so I did. I didn't really realise what I was getting myself into though. I can't say I have heard a whole lot in the past about the film other than Matthew McConaughey getting his breakout role here in the film. A Google search revealed it was apparently a teen/comedy film which didn't really appeal to me all that much admittedly. And for the past two days I have been addicted to watching Rectify. I almost continued my binging, but again the universe kept calling me.
While I didn't know what to expect from the film, I think this made it even more of a surprise. I honestly loved this film and far more than I thought I would. It is a chaotic and beautiful story on the frantic nature of youth, mixed with the existentialism within as times change and teenagers feel at the cusp of adulthood. At a time where teenagers are told that the world is waiting for them, with endless possibilities, only resulting in overwhelming emotion that causes anxiety and panic, but also escapism. Dazed and Confused is precisely this, and the title of course makes that very evident. And with all the chaos within this film, it's done with such empathy and nostalgia, making it very difficult to not feel something over.
I found myself looking back at my own chaotic teenage years. How I felt during school, feeling as if those days would never end and loving feeling as if I had all of the time in the world. Being stupid, doing stupid things, and feeling almost invincible with the world feeling so much larger than it now does. This is everything Dazed and Confused is about. More importantly during a time in which human interaction was more achievable and necessary without our modern luxuries through smartphones and the internet occupying out attention.
Dazed and Confused
Dazed and Confused is a very simple story to be told: it's summer of 1976 and it's the last day of school. With this newfound freedom for many, it's a largely pivoting and existential time for the youth. The film takes place over one 24 hour period as we see them experience their last day of school, as well as the inevitable chaos that comes as the sun sets. As the youth roam the streets at night in search of something to do. Plans go south, conflicts arise, and alcohol is deeply sought after. The film alters between various characters of different ages during this night, but the most notable discussion tends to fall back to the idea of youth. Everyone is roaming around having fun, living in the moment. But there's something quite scary that lingers throughout the film, and that is the idea of tomorrow. Everyone knows that something is coming to an end, and that these teenagers are lost, quite literally roaming the night in search for meaning. Whether it is through socialising, partying, drinking or just getting high while driving around. The youth desperately searches for a distraction.
With the film moving from one group to another, we also see the film moving from location to location. It feels rather rapid for a film that mostly takes place at night. Everything and everyone seems so scattered but in constant motion. Dialogue ranges from typical mundane teenager topics to philosophical ideas that almost justifies their questionable actions and self-destructive behaviour. For 1976, and our main location being a rural town in Texas, there's certainly boredom felt in the youth and partly the reason as to why they roam in search of things to do. It actually becomes very easy to feel for these characters which seem almost wholesome in a way. All careless and fortunately so unaware of the world that awaits them. So far from reality and living within their own bubble that has been established throughout the years of school. And through this it's also very easy to find yourself looking back at your own experiences.
Though Dazed and Confused isn't a film trying to constantly make you laugh nor is it trying to make you feel nostalgic over your youth. It feels more like a love letter to the time period and the youth that lived in a time of economic and existential uncertainty. With the collapse of industries being felt across America and the Cold War still at a height. Not to forget the rise of the spiritual citizen that came about with the Vietnam War and the normalisation of drug consumption that came with it. The 70s in particular were an interesting time, especially for the rural youth that would find themselves more lost than others. While certainly not the same, I recalled growing up in an economically decayed location as a teenager. Roaming abandoned industrial areas and struggling to find things to do with the other kids I knew. Everyone would talk about the future, and how we would escape the area one day. Something that is beautifully considered in the film as well.
I think the film has you reminiscing not necessarily by choice, but through such believable characters and dialogue. The film feels like it was crafted by those very teenagers which are expressing their true feelings. It captures the idea of youth so perfectly to the point where I don't think I have ever seen a film do it quite so well. Perhaps it's through the 24 hour period in which we see everything youth has to offer within the span of a single day. Almost like a blink of an eye in which it comes and goes as well. Those hopes, emotions felt on crushes, popularity, spending all your free time getting into crazy situations with friends while counting away the hours. But also those fears of tomorrow, where you are heading. Considering who you are and want to be. But the film falls back to the most important part: just enjoy the present. Everything else will find its way.
All of this scrambled review comes with the acknowledgement of the film's beautiful visuals. The film is shot on 35mm film in 90s Texas. Of course with costume design, music, brands and all else giving off a 70s appeal. It looks beautiful with how colourful the film is. Green streetlights fill the wide, empty roads of rural Texas. Warm orange and various neon tones fill the closed streets of the more commercial locations. Very little life can be seen taking place outside of the youth roaming the night. The directing utilises empty space and the quiet nightlife of this rural area by displaying them with a very wide focal length. Compositions that are very symmetrical or taking advantage of leading lines. Also panning across environments to reveal a greater event taking place as the characters enter the scene. While definitely promoting the idea of constant motion in empty space, there's a nice balance of still cinematography that reflects the slower moments of socialising. Characters just standing around talking, lined up against walls and discussing the plans for the night. Of course very few of those plans actually work out.
I couldn't help but be so immersed by the film. Feeling nostalgic over a summer I never experienced from a time period I never lived. Partially responsible is the very good music selection from the 70s that feels more like a personal playlist than film soundtrack choice. Also responsible is the very clear glimpse into a world so massively different to the one we now live in. Where such anxieties are still felt by us all, but dealt with in such different manners. No longer reliant on community and chaos to keep us busy over our existential dread, instead reliant on the consumption of easy media. More isolated than ever, and less experienced than ever as we stay docile in our rooms with these machines. It's safe to say that so few of us are really content with it all, and films such as Dazed and Confused show us a look at life that is both so relatable, but almost so alien. At its core, Dazed and Confused is a story about living. Something none of us are ever really prepared to do. And while it has its comedic moments and chaotic fun, it really is a film on what it means to be young and lost.
It pulls you along for the ride having to grow attached to these characters and not at all ready to say goodbye to them as the night comes to an end. And more than likely to pull out a bit of that inner youth that may have been lost with the boredom of adulthood.
