Slacker
Director: Richard Linklater
Actors: Richard Linklater, Rudy Basquez, Jean Caffeine
PlotIn the vibrant city of Austin, Texas, an array of eccentric and offbeat characters weave in and out of each other's lives over a single day. The narrative doesn't follow a conventional storyline but instead drifts from one individual to another, capturing a slice-of-life portrayal that embodies the relaxed and unconventional spirit of the early '90s. Each scene acts as a vignette, presenting a new set of characters discussing various topics that range from the profound to the profoundly nonsensical. Themes such as conspiracy theories, social discontent, and the quest for meaning in a postmodern world are explored through these interactions, painting a picture of a generation in flux.
As the camera moves through the city’s streets, coffee shops, and other locales, the viewer is introduced to a panorama of personalities, all disconnected yet linked by the film's exploration of existential themes. These characters include an anarchist hitchhiker, conspiracy theorists, aimless young adults, and budding artists, all of whom contribute to the tapestry of witty banter and philosophical musing that defines the film’s narrative style. This seamless transition from one character's story to the next emphasizes the film's structure as an aimless yet insightful wander through life's oddities and eccentricities, with each conversation shedding light on the complexity of human nature and the search for identity and connection in a rapidly changing world.
Writers: Richard Linklater
Release Date: 05 Jul 1991
Runtime: 97 min
Rating: R
Country: United States
Language: English
Home Video Reviews
Slacker's Criterion Blu-ray is a must; captures Austin's past vibes but lacks some DVD extras.
Read our review of Slacker Blu-ray to find out more