Jason London, Joey Lauren Adams, Matthew McConaughey

The adventures of incoming high school and junior high students on the last day of school, in May of 1976.

Flixster Users

89% liked it

207,705 ratings

Critics

97% liked it

39 critics

R, 1 hr. 35 min.

Directed by: Richard Linklater

Release Date: September 10, 1993

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DVD Release Date: June 30, 1998

Stats: 14,333 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (14,333)


  • September 24, 2009
    I?m not too sure why there is so much hype for this movie, it?s fun but it?s nothing amazing!
  • July 1, 2009
    There are two common ways of approaching a film that focuses on teens, wait, edit that, two common ways of generalising teenagers. One of those ways is to say that teenagers are fuelled with angst, confused and frustration, the other is to show teens as drug obsessed and sex-craz...( read more)ed maniacs. Few of them succeed in creating the more valid, profound and honest interpretation of teen life.

    Dazed and Confused is a film without a story, but that is intentional because the film is about depicting the best years of our lives and when you can just do things in your time and the way you want them. Dazed and Confused, quite simply charts the story of a bunch of high-school teens' traditions and interests on the first night of the '76 summer, centred around a massive party.

    I find it impossible how somebody could not enjoy, or even merely relate to even some of the smallest aspect of Dazed and Confused because it is documenting the teen culture that everyone is apart of. For a film that is centred on the '70s it still manages to captivate and identify with Generation X viewers today. The wide variety of flamboyant characters in Dazed and Confused are the people we all know as teens. The characters are people you know/knew in school and are detailed with finesse. Nevertheless, without becoming clichéd the characters burst with the nature of youth and bond you have with the people you know. Dazed and Confused is a true interpretation of life, it has an almost documentary effect lingering around it.

    One of the few problems with Dazed and Confused is the acting, which is very bland and unprofessional. I felt some of the actors and actresses did not have the same dedication as others did. Dazed and Confused still managed to launch many careers, for the young American performers, obviously having an awesome memory of acting in such an iconic modern classic. Richard Linklater provides everything to fit the era and adds a deliciously fashionable '70s soundtrack. The script is genius, mixing hysterical comedy, pop-culture and elements of drama perfectly. There are dark undertones behind the fun and games in Dazed and Confused, yet it is best you find them out for yourself.

    Dazed and Confused shows how being a teenager is somewhat like a metaphor for an open road of possibilities. Ultimately, Dazed and Confused captures everything about teen life and includes the needed nostalgic, bittersweet brilliance of youth.
  • March 14, 2009
    I graduated in 1979 and this totally reminded me of high school. Loved the tunes.
  • February 15, 2009
    As somebody who went to high school during the 70's I have to say that this film is scary close to the truth. (In that funny 'ha-ha how did I make it through all of that' way.)

    Younger people won't get it because I don't think this is that universal for all time. Still, great ...( read more)writing and cast.
  • January 27, 2009
    "It was the last day of school in 1976, a time they'd never forget... if only they could remember."

    Like George Lucas' American Graffiti, Richard Linklater's Dazed and Confused is an affectionate look at the youth culture of a bygone era. While Lucas took aim at the conse...( read more)rvative 1950's, Linklater jumps ahead a generation to the bicentennial year of 1976 to celebrate the joys of beer blasts, pot smoking and {^Frampton Comes Alive}. Set on the last day of the academic year, the film follows the random activities of a sprawling group of Texas high schoolers as they celebrate the arrival of summer, their paths variously intersecting at a freshmen hazing, a local pool parlor and finally at a keg party.

    Review
    A very intelligent film that is all the better for its hints at both humour and frustration with life. Determinedly plot-less in that it follows a succession of events over a night, the great strength of this film is the numerous and disparate groups it follows. From potheads to poker club. The sluts and jocks of mundane teen gross-outs like American Pie are distinctly absent in favour of a whole cast that seems somehow more human. Despite their different interests and backgrounds, no character is perfect nor wholly objectionable. Nice to see so many actors and actresses who have become famous in their youth, but nothing distinguishes them from a cast of unknowns all of whom perform strongly. Add this to great cars and fantastic soundtrack that is really representative of the culture presented.

    Personal favourite moments include the opening Aerosmith (and Pickford's car!), just about every appearance of Slater, and the comment about "white slave owners who didn't want to pay their taxes", representative of an entire ethos of 70's subversity in Austin, commonly called an island of liberalism in the sea of the Deep South. Watch this film, thoroughly engaging and enjoyable if nothing truly spectacular.
  • November 13, 2009
    Makes me wish I could go into the movie and live there.
  • November 4, 2009
    solid. but it's really just a bunch of kids goofing off and getting stoned. and i mean that's cool. but there's just not a lot to say for that... it's just what it is and ultimately worth watching but not really worth coming back to.
  • November 3, 2009
    so... dazing and confusing lol!!
  • November 3, 2009
    i love the hippie :)
  • October 29, 2009
    A REALLY great film & good soundtrack to

Critic Reviews


May 12, 2001
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

The ultimate party movie -- loud, crude, socially irresponsible and totally irresistible. full review

January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

The film's real inspiration, I think, is to depict some high school kids from the 1970s with such unblinking attention that we will realize how romanticized most movie teenagers are. full review

View more Dazed and Confused reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • JonnyMac78
    December 4, 2008
    This movie is one of the best cult films next to big lebowski. Especially with the famous quotes.
  • wilstarmbel
    May 1, 2008
    the first time i seen this movie i was 16 almost 11 years ago,, still love this movie, the music the charactors Pink, slater etc.... The moon tower.....

    Still to this day this movie gets mentioned over a bottle of red....

    George washington was into aliens man!!!!!
    Before in came out on DVD i bought it in american on tape,, played it to the death...
  • gatburgteddy
    August 7, 2007
    I was 16yrs old in 1976, I remember the whole Bi-Cent (July 4th 1976) The music is AWESOME!!! the actors take this to a WHOLE new level.... GOD!!!! If I can only go back and re-live those days..... I CAN!! All I have to do is pop in my D & C dvd :)

    That's what I love about these High School girls..... I get older.. they stay the same age.....

    This movie ROCKS!!! lite up a doobie and toke on some DAZED & CONFUSED!
  • littledrummergirl4
    July 31, 2007
    ok...so...are u alot like the character that Rory Cochrane plays in dazed and confused?

    if so...feel free 2 add me on myspace

    littledrummergirl2@yahoo.com

    hope 2 see some1 give it a shot..

    til then...

    blazin-
    bridget
  • skyblue292
    July 22, 2007
    I think i watch this movie at least twice a week. i am obsessed! I wish i lived in the 70's. Life seemed so carefree and just amazing! This will always be my number one favorite movie of all time.
  • bebecubs
    July 18, 2007
    i LOVE THIS MOVIE AND ALL THE ACOTRS! i MUST AGREE WITH THE COMMENT BELOW ITS A CLASSIC. THIS MOVIE IS A CLASSIC!!! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT.
  • MayanGoddess
    June 17, 2007
    Ben Affleck plays O'Bannion in Dazed and Confused. LOVE this movie.
  • natalieashleysux
    May 25, 2007
    i love this movie and i love slayder. he makes the more awsome!!!!!!!
  • ifk
    May 20, 2007
    Best movie ever!
  • JacKDaniels7
    April 17, 2007
    can anyone tell me, the guy who played 'ben' in the film is ben affleck or not????

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Dazed and Confused Trivia


  • What movie starred Rory Cochrane, Ben Affleck, Matthew McConaughey, and Cole Hauser?  Answer »
  • The characters Kevin Pickford and Michelle Burroughs were a couple in what movie?  Answer »
  • "I only came here to do two things, kick some ass and drink some beer...Look's like we're almost outta beer." Is from what 1993 film?  Answer »
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