Dazed and Confused

1.) Relate what was discussed in class or the text to the screening.

The textbook Flashback: A Brief History of Film relates that Richard Linklater, director of Dazed and Confused is often bracketed with fellow cult film giant Kevin Smith. Perhaps this is because Linklater's character Slater, played by Rory Cochrane from Dazed and Confused, is nearly identical to Smith's character Jay, played by Jason Mews from Clerks, in appearance, concept, and portrayal. Both filmmakers employ quick and witty dialogue rife with references and humorous jabs, both made films with a pre-star Ben Affleck, and both have made movies about deplorable young people. On a conceptual level the two writers/directors are very similar. The difference is in execution - Smith's films have a more amateur visual style, but have stronger humor and more concise story, whereas Linklater's have more advanced visuals but weaker humor and a less coherent story. Both filmmakers are nevertheless highly regarded in their genres.

2.) Find a related article and summarize the content.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/09/24/dazed-and-confused-20th-anniversary-20-craziest-facts-about-the-cult-classic.html

On thedailybeast.com is an article titled Dazed and Confused 20th Anniversary: 20 Crazy Facts About the Cult Classic. In one of the more interesting facts related in the article is one that reveals that stars Jason London and Shawn Andrews had a difficult time working together, frequently coming to blows in arguments and refusing to perform scenes which involved both actors. Because of this many of the scenes which involved both actors were either avoided or rewritten and Andrew's character was replaced with Matthew McConaughey's in the final scene. Another interesting tidbit of information in the article is the origin of McConaughey's phrase "all right, all right, all right." According to the article the actor was inspired to improvise the line from a live recording of the Doors in which front man Jim Morrison repeated the phrase between two songs.

3.) Apply the article to the film screened in class.

London and Andrew's feud is reminiscent of the long-standing distain between actors Chevy Chase and Bill Murray. Both relationships are strained and have prevented the actors from working together. Dazed and Confused director Richard Linklater resolved the dispute between his actors by deleting many scenes that required the two to act together and breaking them up when their fights escalated to physical contact. Conversely, Chase and Murray were forced to work together by director Harold Ramis in the film Caddyshack. The origin of Matthew McConaughey's oft-quoted line is not a unique one in Hollywood. Many films such as The Empire Strikes Back, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Being John Malkovich have memorable lines and sequences that were completely improvised.

4.) Write a critical analysis of the film.

Like American Graffiti before it, Dazed and Confused is a coming-of-age film set in a specific period of American history. Examined here is the aimless life of 1970s high school graduates, wavering between drugs, sex, and alcohol searching for meaning. The film's plot lazily drifts from story to story, never deeply focusing on any specific character or scene. This is done in order to create a sense of directionless wandering of a young adult. It is this atmosphere that earns the movie its title. The film also takes great effort to expand upon its timely context with styles, music, traditions, and props that are reminiscent of the 1970s. This attention to detail creates a more in depth experience and an accurate depiction of its timeframe. 

CHECKLIST FOR PLAGIARISM 
1) (X) I have not handed in this assignment for any other class. 

2) (X) If I reused any information from other papers I have written for other classes, I clearly explain that in the paper. 

3) (X) If I used any passages word for word, I put quotations around those words, or used indentation and citation within the text. 

4) (X) I have not padded the bibliography. I have used all sources cited in the bibliography in the text of the paper. 

5) (X) I have cited in the bibliography only the pages I personally read. 

6) (X) I have used direct quotations only in cases where it could not be stated in another way. I cited the source within the paper and in the bibliography. 

7) (X) I did not so over-use direct quotations that the paper lacks interpretation or originality. 

8) (X) I checked yes on steps 1-7 and therefore have been fully transparent about the research and ideas used in my paper. 

Name: ______Alex Wisniewski______________  Date: _______3/31/14_________________