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 WAKING
LIFE (2001)
A review by Jeff Johnson
Director: Richard Linklater
Cast: Richard Linklater etc
I've just woken from a strange and contorted dream; A hazy shade melody
of motions and monologues, of colors and characters. Making my time away
in the dream state seem inches closer to reality.
Groggy eyed and gummy mouthed, I'm sitting here trying to recall the
minutes of my dream that passed as hours and days. Leaving me to wonder
whether it was day or night when I eventually awoke. Like most dreams,
some things are still at the forefront of my mind, while others have been
left behind in the ether.
I remember the wash of marquee lights on a city sidewalk. I remember
the brisk chill of a Fall evening that had been early to dark. I remember
arriving at a cinema (I swear it was the Music Box in Chicago) just late
enough for an angered word from my date and just in time to catch the
film.
Then I recall that we were sitting in our seats (fidgeting wrappers to
the North of us and starry-lit clouds floating above) watching a film
by Richard Linklater. The film appeared to be titled Waking Life
and if my dreamemory serves me correctly, it was a film all about being
awake and living. Or was it about dreaming and death? Either way I know
it was about something I just can't quite explain it to you.
I remember from my waking life that Richard Linklater has made other
films (notably Slackers and Before Sunrise) and that his
newest, Waking Life, had originally been shot as live action then
digitally "painted" by a team of animators. It was this last technical
undertaking (and the hype that surrounded it) that had my interest piqued.
Placing the film snugly into all the areas of my mind, both conscious
and sub-conscious.
It was because of this that my dream was filled with Waking Life.
A sort of chronicle of the perpetual dreamtime experiences of one Wiley
Wiggins, who weaves his way through the shifting and bobbing live-imated
scenery. Along the way he meets with various individuals who philosophize
and theorize on existence, life, death and dreams. Yet, as well written
and interesting as these pieces were, I couldn't help but see them as
monologues that were often reduced to droning speeches lost in the scenery.
That scenery, the scenery of Waking Life, of Richard Linklater
and Wiley Wiggins' dreams, was at once delightful and distracting. I can't
forget how I stared at it incessantly. Mesmerized by its technical and
organizational brilliance and its clever power to convey. Though I can't
help but ponder what writer Ogden Nash (sitting next to me!?) whispered
into my ear with a mouthful of popcorn; "Too clever is dumb." And while
I tried to hush him, my date requested that he repeat it even louder.
So here I am, in this dreamy movie house watching Waking Life,
a film that just won't stop jittering and probing and thinking and asking
and above all speeching. While Ogden Nash is standing, ranting and raving
about how "Too clever is dumb". I don't know if I wished I were dead or
awake.
Next thing I knew I was in an Italian restaurant sipping wine by candlelight
with a beautiful woman. I remember wondering out loud whether all of the
heavy question marks and colored glass visions of Waking Life had
sunk in or slipped away. If the diverse thoughts offered up for our aural
consumption were too much to digest at one sitting. If Richard Linklater's
ideas were bigger than my head. If mind-altering chemicals might have
filled in the gaps. If Wiley Wigins didn't look a bit like my friend Bill.
Yet, like every good dream, I am still mulling over bits and pieces of
Waking Life long after it's gone. It's encouraging that intelligence
is still being considered for films. However, with Waking Life
it's the way that this content is presented that creates a lack of engagement
with the viewer. Thus making it bothersome to watch. You might want to
rent it when it becomes available so as to have the Godlike power of a
remote. Careful though, while viewing you might slip into a dream of you
own.
Why, with all of this talk of dreams, I must say that I'm getting a bit....4[[qquirew...zzzzzzzzzzzzz
30 January 2002
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