Given time, nearly every generation gets a film made about them. Richard Linklater’s Dazed and Confused is for the survivors of the 1970s: that group of Americans who came of age when bellbottoms, love beads, mantras, and marijuana were in vogue, drinking and driving hadn’t become taboo, and safe sex only meant preventing pregnancy and venereal disease. As the United States chugged to her bicentennial on July 4, 1976, Vietnam was over—though the memories were still fresh—and America’s teens were ready to have some fun.
It’s the last day of school, 1976, and not a lot is happening. Teachers pay little to no attention as kids carve bongs in Wood Shop, stare at the ceiling for hours, and cut out early. The newly minted seniors overriding concern is to carry out the time honored tradition of hazing the incoming freshman. For most, this ritual is just a way to stave off boredom and initiate the younger kids into high school life. However, a select few take an obviously sadistic pleasure in it.
We are witnesses to the activities of a group of students over a twenty-four hour period. There’s high school quarterback Randall “Pink” Floyd (Jason London), far from your typical jock, he’s trying to decide whether to sign coach´s behavior pledge or to take a stand for personal freedom. First time actor Wiley Wiggins plays Mitch Kramer, a long-haired freshman who must negotiate a delicate situation that begins with a serious ass paddling by seniors and ends with him gaining a level of acceptance with the cool kids. Then there’s Mike, Tony and Cynthia (Adam Goldberg, Anthony Rapp and Marissa Ribisi, respectively), a trio of philosophical nerds eager to have a good time, senior jocks O’Bannion and Benny (Ben Affleck and Cole Hauser, respectively), resident stoner Slater (Rory Cochran), Queen bees Darla and Simone (Parker Posey and Joey Lauren Adams, respectively), and Matthew McConaughey as Wooderson, that guy who never left high school even though he graduated years ago.
Mitch and Randy are essentially the same character, separated by only three years of high school experience. Mitch, a likable innocent, is just being introduced to the rituals of humiliation—intricately connected to his subsequent popularity—that have left Floyd jaded. By reluctantly enduring the hazing, Mitch is rewarded with the attentions of a pretty sophomore and a night of beer-filled celebration. Randy, meanwhile, seeks release from the pressure of his teammates and belittling coaches by hanging out with a slacker group of pot smokers deemed inappropriate company for someone with his potential. The much older Wooderson is a former football-hero a few years out of high school—in age only. His carefree attitude (really a desperate attempt to avoid adulthood) appeals to Floyd—and even Mitch, who has his own concerns about entering this new high school universe. Wooderson represents the third stage of the Mitch-Randy evolution, the road to nowhere.
Many fans swear that Dazed and Confused accurately captures what it was like to be a teenager in 1976. Not yet a teenager myself then, I can’t speak to that. However, the rock ‘n roll soundtrack comprised of such legendary musical acts like Aerosmith, Bob Dylan, ZZ Top, KISS and Lynyrd Skynyrd, certainly validates the time period. While not a typically “great” film, there’s no doubt that Dazed and Confused will maintain its cult status.
A different transfer than appears on Universal’s Blu-ray release, this 1.85:1 aspect ratio, 1080p Criterion looks sensational. Both flesh tones and deep hues come across with firmness and no bleed whatsoever, and detail quality is exceptional, with textures appearing true and crisp. As one might expect, grain is handled perfectly, giving the movie a filmic glow.
Dazed is a movie with a lot of great music, and it comes through quite nicely given the DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio sound mix. Dialogue is clear and understandable throughout. Surrounds do a great job of adding ambience and giving the movie a sense of place. And while music is perhaps a bit loud in the mix, its fidelity is strong and robust. Good stuff!
English SDH subtitles are included
The following special features are included:
- Trailer (2 min, 1080i) the original theatrical trailer for Dazed and Confused.
- Beer Bust at the Moon Tower – a massive gallery with various director, cast and crew interviews, as well as behind-the-scenes footage from the shooting of Dazed and Confused. A few very short reunion clips are included as well.— Character Interviews (First Week of Rehearsals, 1992) (41 min, 1080i) Sabrina Davis, Don Dawson, Cynthia Dunn, Randall “Pink” Floyd, Jodi Kramer, Mitch Kramer, Darla Marks, Mike Newhouse, Fred O’Bannion, Benny O’Donnell, Tony Olson, Ron Slater, Shavonne Wright
— Cast and Director Interviews (48 min, 1080i) Linklater Before Shooting, Parker Posey, Ben Affleck (1992) Affleck and Cole Hauser, Nicky Katt and Adam Goldberg, Rory Cochrane, Wiley Wiggins and Catherine Morris Wiggins, Michelle Burke and Christine Harnos, Christin Hinojosa, Linklater at End of Shoot, Linklater, Matthew McConaughey, and Don Phillips
— Behind-the-scenes Footage (31 min, 1080i) Every Other Decade, Muscle-car Driving Lessons, The Costumes, The Boys, The Girls, “Love Those Redheads”, Retaliation on O’Bannion, Buying Beer, Crest Hotel, Picture Day, “Start Acting,” The Props, Wiley’s First Day Back at School, Reunion Clips
- Auditions – a large gallery of audition clips (24 min, 1080i) Michelle Burke, Rory Cochrane, Adam Goldberg, Cole Hauser, Christin Hinojosa, Nicky Katt, Jason London, Deena Martin, Matthew McConaughey, Anthony Rapp, Marissa Ribisi, Wiley Wiggins
- Making “Dazed” (46 min, 1080i) a decade in the making, director Kahane Corn’s documentary about Dazed and Confused features behind-the-scenes footage from the 1992 shoot and the 2003 ten-year cast and crew reunion in Austin, Texas. Originally aired on American Movie Classics on September 18, 2005, “Dazed” illuminates on the creative process behind the film and reflects on the decade that had passed since its release.
- Deleted Scenes (26 min, 1080i) “First National Bank,” “Banned From the School,” “Smoking in the Girl’s Room,” “When They Lost, We Lost,” “Narcing on a Friend,” “Family Plot,” “Are the Good Times Worth It?,” “Where’s My Drugs, Man?,” “Eight Graders Going Into Ninth,” “You Little Slut!,” “Parents Without Plans,” “Global Thermonuclear War,” “Cutting in the Keg Line,” “Bumfuckville,” “Tailgate,” “Knew Then What I Know Now,” “Way Me the Show to go Home”
- Commentary – this is the same audio commentary with director Richard Linklater which first appeared on Criterion’s 2006 SDVD release of Dazed and Confused. It was recorded exclusively for Criterion in 2006, in New York City.
- Booklet – an illustrated booklet featuring essays by Kent Jones, Jim DeRogatis, and Chuck Klosterman; memories of the film from the cast and crew; character profiles; and the original film poster by Frank Kozik.