“Those Crazy Eighties!!” is announced as a spiritual sequel to the wonderful classic ‘Dazed and Confused’. Although the current film does not reach the creative heights of the aforementioned work, it is a rarely successful depiction of a testosterone fireworks display on the big screen, which does not offend the emotional intelligence of the viewer.
Richard Linklater has two poles of personality. One is the introverted philosopher, who functions best in one-on-one interactions lamenting the meaning of life, while the other is the jovial Linklater who enjoys drinking, rock and roll, beer, and light drugs. In both views of the world, Linklater is equally successful in film.
‘Those Crazy Eighties!!’ belongs to the second group and is announced as a spiritual sequel to the wonderful classic ‘Dazed and Confused’. Although the current film does not reach the creative heights of the aforementioned work, it is a rarely successful depiction of a testosterone fireworks display on the big screen, which does not offend the emotional intelligence of the viewer. Linklater sees his characters as ultra-competent young men for whom sex, alcohol, and sports are the greatest motivators, but he also treats them as best friends, and the whole film is like a serotonin session.
Despite having entered his fifth decade, the director and screenwriter does not patronize the actions of the characters but celebrates life. They will later grow up, seek deeper meaning, while some will completely lose their zest for life. But here they are experiencing the last moments of extended adolescence, and Linklater knows how to appreciate that.
