Review of Slacker (1990) by Aaron N — 01 Sep 2008

Working on Same Painting: Sorry, I'm late.

Having a Breakthrough Day: That's okay, time doesn't exist.

The first film written and directed by Richard Linklater, this is a uniquely-structured and plotless film, following a single day in the life of an ensemble of mostly twenty-somethings in Austin. The film follows various characters and scenes, never staying with one character or conversation for more than a few minutes before picking up someone else in the scene and following them.

Old Anarchist: And remember: the passion for destruction is also a creative passion.

The movie is literally about nothing. We meet a whole assortment of characters, never see them again after their scenes consisting of either banter or dialog, and the movie eventually ends without having any standard structure. This is the kind of things some cult films are made of.

Disgruntled Grad Student: Every action is a positive action, even if it has a negative result.

Obviously done very cheaply and with no professional actors, the movie still manages to work due to the fact that the dialog is interesting, sometimes funny, but consistently approached in some sort of surrealist manner.

Hitchhiker: Every single commodity you produce is a piece of your own death!

This was one of the several films in the 90s that brought in the wave of independent films to wider audiences. It is also the film that inspired Kevin Smith to become a filmmaker. These points do not necessarily mean anything, but in terms of relating it somehow to someone, this is the kind of movie it is.

Nothing happens, but it is filled with conversations that are interesting and intriguing. Yep, that is what will pass as a recommendation.

Has Conquered Fear of Rejection: Do you have a car?

S-T-E-V-E with a Van: Do you have a car, I have *a van*, lets go!