Wolff rating: NOT BAD
Plot summary: Disaffected twentynothings stay up all night outside a convenience store drinking, arguing, and waiting for their rock-star buddy to arrive in his limo.
Biased, pithy comments: Linklater is a talented man---the opening shots of the film establish a boundless world of paved Generica, with Whataburgers and Walgreens as far as the eye can see. His characters (written by playwright Eric Bogosian) struggle against this briefly, but a few have succumbed to learned helplessness and are instead drinking themselves into an unnoticed stupor. The movie is really about getting momentum out of the complacency of suburbia, but the film keeps you up all night just like the characters---it's a movie without momentum as well. Some excellent moments, including the angry-yet-pathetic performance art, the sanctimonious artistry of the rocker returned, and most especially the commentary from the Pakistani clerk of the convenience store, acting as a sort of embittered chorus for this white, upper-middle class American tragedy. However, the whole thing probably worked better as a play than a movie; there are real moments of unevenness and some odd pauses in the film. Still, worth pondering and considering, even if it is perhaps too ponderous for its own good.
Other Notes: SPOILER---I was particularly annoyed by the ending; given the directions the characters were headed, it seemed awfully contrived and, frankly, I didn't care.
How many times I have seen it: x1
Starring: Jayce Bartok, Amie Carey, Nicky Katt, Ajay Naidu, Parker Posey, Giovanni Ribisi, Samia Shoaib, Dina Spybey, Steve Zahn.
Directed by: Richard Linklater