Waking Life

Director: Richard Linklater

6 May 2024

See

Him: A series of vignettes about a young man (Wiley Wiggins) in a dream he keeps not waking from, having surreal interactions with others, shot on film then animated like A Scanner Darkly.

Think

Him: Prince recommended this film in his memoir The Beautiful Ones. I remembered hearing there was a scene with Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Celine (Julie Delpy) after Before Sunset, but prior to Before Midnight. It did not disappoint. 

Feel

Him: I’m glad I watched it even if I don’t like the at time psychedelic animation style. It’s a push and pull of abstract ideas and visuals. Richard Linklater’s monologue was the most coherent explanation of what dreams are. He’s one the few filmmakers making original work and I can’t wait to see Merrily We Roll Along.