Waking Life

2001 • 100 minutes

About this movie

From the director of Slacker and Dazed and Confused comes one of the most imaginative animated features ever made. This funny, ingenious film, which Rolling Stone Magazine calls "nothing short of amazing," explores the fascinating question: "Are we sleep-walking through our waking state or wake- walking through our dreams"? Join Wiley Wiggins as he searches for answers to lifes most important questions in a world that may or may not be reality in the "most visually alive movie of the year." (Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun Times)

Ratings and reviews

INFOMANIACS & REPEAT VIEWING/VIEWERS BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE WAKING LIFE DVD SPECIAL FEATURE-LENGTH "TEXT COMMENTARY" FOR EVEN MORE GOODIEZ PACKED INTO THIS FLICK.

This innovative, thought-provoking masterpiece that may be best described as a breathtaking acid trip through the mind of the brilliant Richard Linklater is quite simply my favourite movie of all time. Nothing really happens in the entire movie, but that isn't the point; you see things in a new light in a sort of social commentary that is just as enjoyable the fifth time you watch it as the first. It's a really unique movie; you are bombarded with different perspectives on life, death and dreams; all with a common theme, but this is done in the best way possible. Some people will hate this movie and say that it's boring. That's fair -- it isn't a plot-based movie which is a must for some people -- but if a lack of plot doesn't bother you, I'm confident that this movie will be one that you can recommend as passionately as I can.

Very few films can open your mind they way Waking Life can. I watched this for the first time when I was 19 and it was the perfect time for me to see a film this wildly imaginative. What makes it so good other than the bitter-sweet synopsis is the humanity and intellect built into almost every scene. Thank you Richard Linklater for being one of the best directors of our time. These are the kind of films every generation needs. A must-see.