It’s not School of Rock, it’s not Dazed and Confused, but it is undeniably Richard Linklater. An animated film released in 2001 most closely resembles Slacker, but takes it a step further. This is supposed to be a recommendation, so I have to illustrate why you should like it, not if you will. The main thing to know going into this movie is that it’s comprised of lectures. People talking about pretentious things, but in an accessible and entertaining manner. Some of the characters are doctors of theory or whatever, while others are convenience store clerks and the rest are just people that have something to say.
Waking Life takes place in the dream world, Main Character goes from dream to dream, like in that episode of Spongebob, to visit friends, scholars and strangers. They tell him about their experiences, what he is experiencing and what it all means, as far as they know. Certain (one sided) conversations he has come in direct contrast with advice gained from other players.
The movie plays out like a documentary. It is storyless I guess, but like with any great piece of art the rules don’t matter as long as it’s entertaining. And of course it is, the dynamic styles in animation, the neverending flow of form, and the dispensing of high concept ideas from people who treat you as an equal. Nothing in this is impossible to understand because it wants you along. Waking Life invites you to think about the difference between dreaming and living, reality, free will, passivity, communication, you could just watch one segment from this movie per day and have enough to think about. In its totality it’s a wonderful picture that displays the beauty of animation and how it is for more than just family entertainment. Waking life is unlike any dream you’ve ever had and it doesn’t want to be.
