Waking Life

This movie has spoken to me like nothing else ever has. It brings me joy knowing that this movie exists. To those curious about metaphysics and philosophy (along with a bunch of other subjects) you will love this movie. It is best seen in a dream state (if you know what I mean) though I have watched it while sober/awake and also loved it. 5 stars is simply not enough, it is not like any other movie you have seen and in the best way. You cannot sit passively and watch, you must think and engage to truly appreciate this hidden gem. The first time I saw the movie it took a good 20 minutes to get really into it but once your hooked it’s a wonderful roller coaster of information, emotion, and ideas that I wish the whole world could see and understand. This movie helps center me whenever I become lost in depression and anxiety. I seriously cannot praise this movie enough. Enjoy and stay woke!

Ingenious exploration that demonstrates the words "dream" and "awaken" both have multiple meanings. Still one of my favorite films many years after I first discovered it. About as surreal as they come, the protagonist explores the many aspects of dreams and dreaming and all the things they can mean to the human experience during a repeatedly frustrated quest to awaken. Watch this any time you're in a contemplative mood, and you'll almost always receive plenty to contemplate.

Oh my GOD. I had to stop after 30 minutes, which I never do with a movie I paid for. People are making assertions about things like telepathy being true and someone that looks like they are supposed to be a resident scientist doesn’t seem to understand what evolution is. This is painful to watch as he and others use large words and vague concepts as if they are authorities. Authorities or not, they seem naive and pseudoscientific about how the world works. I watched this because I like the Before Sunrise characters that make an appearance in this film, but even Ethan Hawke’s character is suggesting that telepathy may be true. Ugh.

This is probably the last film that ever made me say: WOW!!! There is no linear storyline so do not strain yourself looking for one. It is film about the exchange of thoughts and ideas. What is its ultimate meaning is multi-interpretational which art should be. There are two scenes which I feel do not belong but otherwise it is a beautiful afermation of the human mind. The rotoscoping style of animation is stunning at times but should not fool anyone that this is an "animated" film. This should really be seen on a big screen but the compelling thoughts expressed are not diminished. It will bore a great majority when they realize it nothing but people talking. Anyone who has seen and enjoyed My Dinner With Andre will have no problem becoming acclimated to this world. Yes, I wish there was a bit more structure to the film but this is a very minor complaint. I prefer not to have everything tied up in a nice neat bow. I like exiting the theater being haunted by the unanswered questions. The brain is a organ that requires exercise just as any other in the human body and should not be neglected.

Waking Life, Richard Linklater's study of dreams and ideas, is one of those once in a lifetime films that you will feel privileged to see. The film is, in some ways, a spiritual successor to Linklater's first film, Slacker; our unnamed protagonist (played by Wiley Wiggins) floats around several different conversations while trying to figure out why he can't seem to get out of his dream. The people he finds are all passionate about their wildly different subjects; A college professor puts a positive spin on existentialism; Jesse and Celine of Before Sunrise fame continue their conversation about reincarnation and death; and my personal favorite, Timothy "Speed" Levitch waxes poetically about the ongoing wow of living in New York. That in and of itself would make an interesting and intriguing film, but that's only half of it; Linklater and his animation partner Bob Sabiston shot and edited the film on consumer level cameras, then hired several artists to rotoscope (or "paint") over the footage. The result overcomes gimmickry and actually elevates the film. Each conversation has a different art style and tone, guaranteeing that even if you dislike a character, the art surrounding them will still keep you involved; and even if you don't like the art style, there's another person and style coming right down the corner. Waking Life is not a movie everyone is going to love, but it is absolutely a movie that everyone should see. Don't miss out on this extraordinary head tripping experience.