Waking Life Review

[alobear]

Just finished watching Waking Life on DVD and felt the need to try and make sense of my reaction to it.


The film is basically a series of conversations, mostly between the protagonist and any number of apparently random people he encounters in what turns out to be a continuing dream sequence. Yes, it's as weird as it sounds. It makes very little sense as a narrative and doesn't go anywhere, so cholten99 pointed out that he couldn't see what its purpose was supposed to be.

Now, I'm not sure that films have to have a specific purpose to be good, so I didn't dislike this one for that reason. However, I did figure out later what it was that bothered me about it.

There is a huge amount of information imparted in the film, on any number of subjects, most of which I don't understand. This is also not a problem in itself, since I enjoy listening to discourse on subjects I don't understand, since it invites me to engage my brain and try to learn something. However, each scene in Waking Life goes by so fast and is followed by so many others on completely different topics, that I had no chance to assimilate any of the information.

I came to the realisation of this as I discovered that I remembered practically nothing of the content of the film from the last time I saw it, which was only eighteen months ago. I remembered that it was weird and complicated, but not any of the details.

So, in conclusion, it's a fascinating film that leaves no lasting impact on my poor befuddled brain, as it gives me no opportunity to figure out what I think about any one of its ideas before it moves relentlessly on to the next one.

cholten99 didn't like it because he found it pretentious, which I suppose is also true.

I must remember to discuss it with my friend James, who encouraged me to watch it in the first place and also leant me the DVD to watch tonight. I seem to remember him liking it a lot, and now I want to know why.

Comments

[weaselbitch.livejournal.com]

I actually rather liked this one. The conversations remind of the kind of thing you occasionally end up talking about with friends at about 4am.

They do build up to make some kind of sense as whole eventually, too - right around the time when it clicks into place what exactly is going on certain things that seemed to be 'just interesting disconnected ideas' suddenly take on more significance.

I've only seen it once so far, but I certainly intend to watch it again once I get my DVD back from dodgyhoodoo and thessalian. I'm sure I'll notice more second time around.

[alobear.livejournal.com]

I think last night probably wasn't the best time for me to appreciate this film, since I could barely keep my eyes open and the animation style was making me feel seasick!

It's the kind of film that would reward repeat viewings and more thought than I was able to give it yesterday.