Streetlight Records

Reviews:

Waking Life (2001)
CBS/Fox Home Video
Running time: 99 minutes. Rated R. DVD
Release Date: May 7, 2002
Special features: Commentary by director Richard Linklater and others;Commentary by 25 animators; Theatrical trailer(s); 'Greatest Hits'from the live action version; Bob Sabiston's animation software tutorial;Deleted live action scenes; Selections for Linklater's 'audition tapes';Featurette; Sundance Channel special; Short films by Sabiston; Widescreen anamorphicformatWe've all had those deep (usually drug-induced) conversations aboutthe meaning of life, of dreams-if we have free will-what-have-you."Waking Life" takes these Existentialism 101 topics and winds theminto a pensive, Crayola-colored meditation that plays out like "The SixthSense" as conceived by Jean-Paul Sartre.

Dickensian-named actor Wiley Wiggins plays the boy who sees dead people (orin this case, the boy who sees no exit) in an animated world, which may or maynot be of his own design. To say too much would spoil this inventive low-budgetpicture from "Dazed and Confused" director Richard Linklater. He musthave had a hoot shooting this flick, done rapid-fire on a handheld digital camera,then edited and animated over, as shown in the excellent special features. Inventive,thought provoking and stuffed with extra DVD goodies (and a haunting, wango-tangoscore), "Waking Life" is a startling film worth repeat viewings. Ifthe fluid animations and unfathomable plot don't kill you, they'llonly make you stronger.