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10/18/08
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Waking Life (2001)
80 %
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted: 137
Fresh: 109
Rotten:28
Average Rating: 7.4/10
Consensus: The talky, animated Waking Life is a unique, cerebral experience.
Theatrical Release: Oct 17, 2001 Limited
Box Office: $2,063,729
Synopsis: Director Richard Linklater presents this computer-animated, dreamlike, meandering film about a college-age man (Wiley Wiggins) who floats in and out of a series of philosophical discussions and ethereal experiences, meeting an... [More]
Starring: Wiley Wiggins, Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy, Nicky Katt
Director: Richard Linklater
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Reviews for Waking Life
Top Critic
Form and content fit perfectly: even if the highbrow babbling gets a bit much, the hypnotic animation means that there is always something to watch, like characters suddenly dissolving into smoke or spectacles expanding.
09/09/08
A true independent film that uses animation techniques to their utmost.
07/24/07
This inventive animated film, which takes Linklater back to his roots in Austin and Slacker, represents a summation of all the philosophical concerns that have defined him as spokesperson for Gen-X.
10/31/06
Top Critic The question comes up often in life: What's your favorite movie? Since October 2001, the answer has been easy and one I shoot back reflexively almost before someone's finished the question: "Waking Life."
10/02/06
The novelty of the much-lauded animation style wears off about halfway through, with the end result a film that's more interminable than anything else.
07/01/06
The endless philosophising is a bit sophomoric and more jokes would help, but this is one of a kind that grows more absorbing the longer it runs.
01/26/06
It is not the best film of the year, nor is it likely to be one that I purchase and watch often. Still, it is something that should be seen by everyone and experienced by any diehard film lover.
10/01/05
I applaud Linklater for [directing] such an interesting ride. But it suffers from a lack of sensistivity to its audience...
01/15/05
Linklater's most visually distinctive movie, with exquisitely detailed renderings ... that are at the same time unstable, floaty, in a way perfect for a dreamed reality.
01/09/05
This audacious movie may put some people to sleep; for others, it’ll be a wakeup call on the possibilities of screen storytelling
02/24/04
Waking Life takes a peek into that other ninety percent of the possibilities of the cinematic medium that nobody ever explores. Hopefully, others will follow.
11/12/03
Fascinante filme sobre a natureza dos sonhos e a forma com que estes refletem e transcendem a realidade. A animação é interessante, embora não explore tanto as possibilidades da mídia.
07/25/03
The whole thing comes together in one of those deliriously exciting great leaps forward in film art.
04/24/03
Startling in its originality, dazzling in its erudition, it fearlessly tackles questions of free will, identity and . . . reality. . .
04/05/03
The pictures are gorgeous, and the words, well, if you listen hard enough, the words say exactly what one needs to hear: that is, to wake up and live.
03/10/03
An intriguing and visually impressive film squarely aimed at the art house crowd.
02/02/03
Latest News for Waking Life
November 14, 2007:
Total Recall: Beowulf and Ye Olde Tradition of Animation
These are heady times for live-action/animation hybrids. This week, Robert Zemeckis updates the Old English poem Beowulf. Next week, Enchanted adds a heavy dose of animation to... More...
July 14, 2006:
See the First 24 Minutes of "A Scanner Darkly"!!
Our friends over at IGN FilmForce have snagged an awesome Christmas in July present for you -- an exclusive look at the first 24 minutes of Richard Linklater's hyper-visual... More...
July 06, 2006:
Critical Consensus: "Dead Man's Chest" Is Overstuffed; "Scanner" Shines Darkly
This week at the movies, we've got pirates back for more box office bounty ("Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest") and a journey to the center of the mind... More...
June 02, 2006:
Check Out "A Scanner Darkly" Producer's FilmForce Blog!
"A Scanner Darkly" producer Tommy Pallotta has a blog on the IGN FilmForce site. Pallotta, who also produced "Waking Life," has been instrumental in the use... More...
Related Forums for Waking Life
WAKING LIFE - What's your philosophy?
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