Writer/Director: Richard Linklater

The odd character interactions are the stars of this movie. Short encounters are loosely connected into various conversations. The one constant is the area in which the movie takes place- a run down town without much prospects.



There is no main character, no linear plot. This is a collection of encounters and occurrences that seem relatively normal for the characters that are experiencing them. If you want to start watching Richard Linklater films, don't start with this one. Although I like it, I watched this after I had seen the other movies in this list.

I would recommend this movie only to fans of Richard Linklater, or film students looking for something different.


Note: Linklater himself appears in the first segment of this movie. He's in the back of the cab, talking up the cab driver.

A story about the last day of high school in the 1970's, with an ensemble cast, good dialogue and good acting.



To me this is Linklater's most accessible work. You don't have to be a fan of his other movies to enjoy this one. The time period the film is set in is a prominent aspect of the film. If you haven't watched any of Linklater's movies yet, you might want to start with this one.


Good acting performances by Wiley Wiggins, Rory Cochrane, Matthew McConaughey and Adam Goldberg.

Before Sunrise follows the chance encounter of two students on a European trip. Their conversations, flirtations, and romance are the focus of the film.



This is my favorite of Linklater's movies. Choosing to focus on two main characters was a good writing choice, as we the viewer got to know the characters through their interactions with each other. By the end of the film, it's easy to care about the feelings and perspectives of both characters.


I watched this movie while I was still in college, and roughly the age of the characters in the story. I think it was the right time for me to see and appreciate the movie.


It's a little different than other romantic stories, because it doesn't feature any antagonists, rivalries, or social class morays to overcome like so many other romantic stories. (meaning this story isn't full of ridiculous cliches- it's actually a good story that doesn't resemble every other romance you've already seen.)



Make sure you watch this movie before you see Before Sunset, if you haven't seen either movie yet.

Somewhat similar to Slacker, this movie is made up of a series of short conversations and encounters. Many of the subject matter pertains to dreaming and the unconscious. Unlike the movie Slacker, we follow a single character (the Dreamer, if you will) for most of the movie. He has a journey of sorts through what is most likely an ongoing dream.

As you can see, the movie was overlaid in various artistic styles of roto-scope. Each conversation and setting in the movie looks a little different.

This is actually the first Richard Linklater film I watched. I saw it my first year of college, and I really loved its eccentricity. However, this might not be the best movie to see first if you haven't watched any Linklater films.

Before Sunset can be seen as a sequel to Before Sunrise. I get the feeling though, that if you had seen this movie first, you would still get a lot out of it.


This movie has many similar elements to Before Sunrise. But the overall feel of the movie is different. I think that has to do with the fact that the characters are no longer young, and their conversations are a bit more serious.


I enjoyed this movie a lot, but then again I like all of Linklater's films so far. It's not the same kind of romance story as Before Sunrise. You can't fall in love with the characters because you already know them, to a degree. To me, there were much deeper things said in this movie than the previous one.


Note: I have recently seen media for a new movie called "Before Midnight". It has Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy once again. If you're planning on seeing the movie (I am) I would recommend watching Before Sunrise, and Before Sunset first.

A Scanner Darkly borrows from Philip K. Dick's novel by the same name. It follows Bob Arctor as he struggles with his sense of identity and purpose. The plot also involves the attempt to find the source of a drug called Substance-D.


Many of Philip K. Dick's novels feature characters that are tortured and damaged. This is highlighted very well in the movie. Although in this movie, much of that damage is due to the abuse of Substance-D.


I'm sure you noticed that a similar rotoscoping technique was used in the movie Waking Life. This helped to give A Scanner Darkly an interesting vibe. I'm not sure if it was necessary, but it does help to make the movie unique.


The lead and supporting actors all did well, and I would recommend this movie to you, even if you haven't watched a Linklater film before.

This movie features the cast of Before Sunrise, and Before Sunset. Years have passed, and the challenges of parenthood, relationships, and age have left their mark on the couple.

Somehow this movie feels the most 'real' of the three. Maybe it's because I'm past the age of the first movie, and I know I'll eventually find myself at the age of these characters. The conversations had by the different characters are fascinating. If you are a fan of the first two movies, you'll like this one as well.