Richard Linklater, at Ebertfest 2013, presenting “Bernie.” Photo by yours truly.
It’s his birthday today. One of my favorite contemporary filmmakers (if not my favorite?)
Here’s my essay on Movie Mezzanine: Time After Time: Looking Back at “Before Sunrise”.
Here’s my review of Everybody Wants Some on Rogerebert.com.
Here’s my review of Boyhood.
Here’s my post on Bernie from Ebertfest 2013, with Richard Linklater in attendance and Jack Black calling in (a storm had wreaked havoc on his flight to O’Hare and he couldn’t get there in time: “I’m so sorry I can’t be there with you guys!” he moaned over the loudspeaker.)
It is my belief that of all the Linklater films, in the future, when we are all ashes and dust, School of Rock will be the last one standing. It will outlive them all. I love the clips of the School of Rock 10-year reunion in Austin, with Jack Black and all the “kids”, now all grown up, giving a concert (Richard Linklater in attendance, seen in the crowd in some of the clips).
I also think Jack Black is one of the best actors working today – hands down – no contest – and Linklater recognizes that, and has given him two roles – two totally different roles – that show, without a shadow of a doubt, what he can do.
Richard Linklater is an American master. And his body of work will just grow in stature, even more than it has now. He gets good reviews, but compared to Paul Thomas Anderson or Steven Soderbergh – or maybe just because his films are so funny and usually don’t star A-Listers – he’s just not seen as this “weighty genius.” Weighty geniuses may take up most of the print in their day and age, but it’s those who make it look easy – those who do what they do better than anyone else – people like Michael Curtiz, for example – who often are the ones who create the works that really stand the test of time. Linklater, most definitely, will be one of those guys. Even more thrilling, he’s so YOUNG. He’s turning just 60 years old today! We have so much more to look forward to.
“It’s tough, man. Unless it’s a tentpole, sequel, remake, or over-the-top comedy, that’s all the studios are even doing. They’ve kind of admitted they’re not in the business of doing anything else. The slightest level of irony or intelligence and, boom, you’re out of the league, you’re done.” — Richard Linklater
When I was in college I watched Slacker over and over again, trying to figure out how he pieced it all together to seemlessly. And also just enjoying all the monologues!
Yes! and if I’m not mistaken, Slacker has a Ulysses nod as well, just like Before Sunrise does – it’s been a while since I’ve seen it.
For me, a Gen-x male, the ‘Before’ films are the most substantial films of my lifetime. I am the exact age of those characters and am captured by how meticulously they capture my generations experiences of life and love. (maybe they capture the same experiences of any and or all generations, I don’t know, I just know they feel so specific to me and my life).
They are staggering works of individual and interpersonal portrayals of a human relationship. They capture something for me and speak to me in ways that no other films do. The language, the themes, the acting, the writing, the romance, the disappointment, the intelligence, the pathos, the longing (these films nail longing), the conversations, the seriousness…
I mean how about just the endings of each film, come on, those alone are masterclass!
And Celine… there is a woman, there is a human being. I could write paragraphs, chapters, books… She ruins me.
I can’t even believe these movies exist, they are so perfect to me.
Jack –
// I can’t even believe these movies exist, they are so perfect to me. //
I feel the same way. I am Gen-X too. Poster-child in many ways (and damn proud of it). Even her outfit in Before Sunrise was perfect – with the shirt tied around her waist, the T-shirt, the long skirt … It’s who I was then (except American).
// They are staggering works of individual and interpersonal portrayals of a human relationship. //
I agree. I look forward to – and dread – the next installment.
I want somebody to not look at me the way Julie Delpy is not looking at Ethan Hawke in those gifs.
and I want someone to try to sneak a glance at me the way Ethan Hawke does in those gifs!
Oh, my god, that last Before Sunrise gif.
SO MANY teenage fantasies about that moment.
I actually wrote something about the Before Sunrise trilogy a while back.
https://auntcocoloco.wordpress.com/2017/02/13/coming-of-age-over-the-course-of-three-movies/
Oh Natalie I had never read that before.
What an incredible journey – the journey of you and the journey of your relationship with this fictional relationship – AND that these movies keep coming out! Messing with us!
Really well written – thank you so much for sharing it.
School of Rock is a perfect movie. Every acting note is hit perfectly, every shot gives exactly the information needed and the story structure is tight as a drum. Perfect.
Also the kind of movie that seems as if it would not be possible without Jack Black. If he can’t do it, you scrap the script.
I’m the exact age of Pink Floyd from Dazed and Confused and I can vouch for the note-perfect accuracy of that movie’s version of 1976. I went to parties like the one in the woods. In fact, one of my best high school friends looked *exactly* like Anthony Rapp looked in this movie. Among its many delights, I think this is still Ben Affleck’s best performance.
The first “Before” movie left me breathless. I still haven’t had the nerve to see the second and third, simply because I don’t know if my heart can stand it.
// I still haven’t had the nerve to see the second and third, simply because I don’t know if my heart can stand it. //
I felt exactly the same way – with each subsequent “Before” movie. it’s like a balancing act. Please don’t ruin the first one please don’t ruin the first one.
And (IMO) they don’t. and they also don’t make the cardinal error of trying to replicate the first one. Instead, the movies have grown with the characters, the audience … you CAN’T go back into the past. Linklater is one of the most time-conscious directors on the planet. It’s ALL about time.
In some ways, I think Before Sunset is a better movie than the first … although “better” really isn’t what I mean. To me, it hits hard – really really hard – and I have a very complicated relationship with that second one.
I love the whole trilogy though. and suddenly Delpy is saying there won’t be a fourth which makes me think that there will definitely be a fourth. :) any time they start denying you know they’re cooking something up.
and now I’m nervous all over again. Please don’t ruin it please don’t ruin it…
The Wife and I (before she was The Wife) went to see BEFORE SUNRISE on Valentine’s Day. We made dinner for each other (a collaborated meal, I love those) and then went to the movie. It was one of our perfect dates.
SCHOOL OF ROCK is utterly great, too. I love how, as funny and warm as it is, it eschews a lot of the “obvious” jokes or plot twists that a lesser version of this same story would do.