Synopsis: Quirky, episodic cult hit probes the thoughts/activities of 20-something Texan underachievers and eccentrics. This randomly linked series of slice-of-life vignettes appeals to fans of offbeat subculture studies, bizarre character portraits.
Three audio commentaries featuring Richard Linklater and members of the cast and crew
Casting tapes featuring select "auditions" from the over one-hundred-member cast, with an essay from production manager/casting director Anne Walker-McBay
An early film treatment
Home movies
Ten-minute trailer for a documentary about the landmark Austin cafe, Les Anis, which served as location for several scenes in SLACKER
Stills gallery featuring hundreds of rare behind-the-scenes production and publicity photos
Disc Two:
It's Impossible To Learn To Plow By Reading Books (1988), Linklater's first full-length feature, with commentary by the director, available here for the first time on home video
Woodshock, an early short 16mm film made by Linklater and Lee Daniel in 1985
"The Roadmap," the working script of SLACKER, including fourteen deleted scenes and alternate takes
Footage from the SLACKER tenth-anniversary reunion in Austin, Texas, in 2001
Original Theatrical Trailer
Slacker culture essay by Linklater
Information about the Austin Film Society, founding in 1985 by Linklater with Daniel, including early flyers from screenings
PLUS: a 64 page booklet featuring essays by author and filmmaker John Pierson (SPIKE MIKE RELOADED: A GUIDED TOUR ACROSS A DECADE OF INDEPENDENT AMERICAN CINEMA) and Michael Barker, heard of Sony Pictures Classics, as well as reviews, production notes, a complete cast and crew listing, and an introduction to IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO LEARN TO PLOW BY READING BOOKS by director Monte Hellman (TWO-LANE BLACKTOP, THE SHOOTING.)
This film is very well done. The dialogue, the comedy, the way the camera moves to introduce the characters, and of course the introduction of the 97 characters in the short time of 100 minutes. Although, in some parts this film does get boring. Most of the times it is interesting, but other times you may not really get into the conversations. I found though, I understood and/or related to some of the stories. It was amazing. Richard Linklater's Slacker is definitely a Criterion worthy title, and I'm glad they picked this up and distributed it on DVD.
Video Rating:
Audio Rating:
Extras Rating:
Movie Rating:
Overall Rating:
Do you agree with this review?
The disc information on this page was generously updated by:
* Satelk
Add a Video Clip/Trailer
(1 vote) (
