Review of Dazed and Confused (1993) by Andy B — 18 Feb 2012

(****) Seldom does a movie create this amount of nostalgia in me. First, let me admit that I was neither a member of the 70s generation, nor was I a party animal in high school. Quite the opposite. I was a 2000s high schooler with very strict parents who wouldn't let me stay out past midnight. However, no matter who you are, you've seen the characters of this film: the semi-creepy yet totally awesome older guy who seems to show up everywhere, the jock who loves everyone and isn't an asshole, the asshole, and the naive kid who everyone loves just because he had the stones to be there.

However, what makes this film great is the nostalgia of the relationships, and more importantly the attitude, of high school.

To start with relationships, I'm going to start by making the declaration that you will never find friends as important as the ones you had in high school. You may find ones which are better, I'll admit, but not nearly as important. Your high school friends have probably known you for 13 or more years, and are better analysts of your character than anyone else you know. Therefore, if they are your friends, they must really have a true care for you, like the one seen between Pink and his football buddies, or with Mitch and his freshmen friends.

On the attitude side, I will mention that the most important part if this movie can be summed up in one word: "carefree". You will never, and I repeat NEVER be as carefree as you are in high school. You have almost no responsibility, but you have a car, which is an amazing combination. That is the over-arching theme of Dazed and Confused, and if there is a lesson to be learned from the movie this is it: enjoy it while it lasts, because you will regret alot more things you didn't do than things you did.

To sum up, amazing cast, amazing story, and so much better when you have a little drunk on on a Saturday night. That is all.