Waking Life

Name: Waking Life
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Fantasy, Animation
Released: October 19, 2001
Duration: 99 min
Rating: 83

2001

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 31 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 132 Ratings

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8.0	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 132 Ratings

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Waking Life

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Movie Details & Credits

Fox Searchlight Pictures | Release Date: October 19, 2001 | R

Summary: In this animated drama, a man walks through what may be a dream, flowing in and out of scenarios and encounters with strange characters. (Fox Searchlight)

Director: Richard Linklater

Genre(s): Drama, Mystery, Fantasy, Animation

Rating: R

Runtime: 99 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Desson Thomson

A smart cartoon about the life of the mind. It's about the fuzzy border between dreaming and living. It's thoughtful, provocative, liberating and fun. Read full review

100

Peter Rainer

An astounding, one-of-a-kind movie. Read full review

100

Michael Wilmington

The film is truly special, truly different -- a wondrous talky roundelay about and for people who love life. Read full review

Steven Rea

A smart, sensuous and sensory mind trip that caroms around a universe of thought. Read full review

Kevin Thomas

The effect is dazzlingly beautiful and surreal. Read full review

David Sterritt

Few American filmmakers put more faith in the ability of words to stimulate mind and heart. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine Frank Lovece

All talk and no action. Never, however, has pedantic navel-gazing been so beautifully drawn. Read full review

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User Reviews

theunholymesiah

Sep 25, 2013

This is pretty much like what other people say. There's not much of a plot it's pretty much a philosophy session and there are so many things they say for you to ponder upon. The animation is some of the most interesting visuals I've seen in any film. You'll walk out of it thinking differently.

3 of 5 users found this helpful32

ChelseaE.

Apr 8, 2008

This film was simply mind blowing. I watched it every night before I went to bed for about 3 months, until I let someone borrow it and they lost it. It really opens your mind and your eyes to the simple truths of life and existence. From scenes of optimism to existentialism, there is a This film was simply mind blowing. I watched it every night before I went to bed for about 3 months, until I let someone borrow it and they lost it. It really opens your mind and your eyes to the simple truths of life and existence. From scenes of optimism to existentialism, there is a story for every type of perspective. One of my favorite quotes from the movie: "Hey. Could we do that again? I know we haven't met, but I don't want to be an ant. You know? I mean, it's like we go through life with our antennas bouncing off one another, continuously on ant autopilot, with nothing really human required of us. Stop. Go. Walk here. Drive there. All action basically for survival. All communication simply to keep this ant colony buzzing along in an efficient, polite manner. "Here's your change." "Paper or plastic?' "Credit or debit?" "You want ketchup with that?" I don't want a straw. I want real human moments. I want to see you. I want you to see me. I don't want to give that up. I don't want to be ant, you know?"… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful

BigLO

Jan 30, 2006

A movie which challenges the viewer, there is just so much content that you could watch it again end to end and not get bored. Film is the most complete and influentual media format out there and a film like this shows not only what is possible but what we are missing. It wakes you up to A movie which challenges the viewer, there is just so much content that you could watch it again end to end and not get bored. Film is the most complete and influentual media format out there and a film like this shows not only what is possible but what we are missing. It wakes you up to and makes you want to re-evaluate and explore the relationship between your conscious and subconscious states of mind in a world dominated by logic and need driven by boredom resulting from the absence of creative energy. This movie addresses this nicely. Thumbs up!… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

StevenF

Apr 1, 2013

Masterful and mind-blowingly brilliant, Waking Life is basically a documentary for the mind and how different reactions are dealt with with the events and scenarios that take place around us.
This film documents a series of life views in regards to the simple occurrences in our life,Masterful and mind-blowingly brilliant, Waking Life is basically a documentary for the mind and how different reactions are dealt with with the events and scenarios that take place around us.
This film documents a series of life views in regards to the simple occurrences in our life, politics, post-moderism, the human mind and even reactions to other people around us.
Not only is the film a series of interviews, but it is an entirely animated affair, using similar techniques to rotoscope that are beneficial to the dream state to which the film is told in, seemingly inside of the head of the dreamer (Wiley Wiggins)
The film contains some of the most inspiring and 'wake-up' moments of your life, whether its from a middle-aged sitting in leathers and drinking beer or from a wise old man, the thought-provoking dialogue and fast paced animation is enough to make you ponder your life choices.
The animation seems purposely low-budget, combining shifting colours with random screen situations, flying, clouds etc. It is truly unique and beautiful to watch.
Probably the most wonderful part of the film is the dialogue itself, one of the most quotable films in recent memories, it provides humour with realistic expectations, and one stand out is four men walking along a footpath, and one says "On the way to discovering what we love, we will find everything we hate, everything that blocks our path to what we desire".
This is just one of the many experiences at play here, and hating this film is perhaps a choice of film preference, but shouldn't be one that goes amiss.
The protagonist is taken on a wild ride of his imagination, with all these insightful people invading his mind, and the message of the title becomes clear, wake up your life and think, listen to the things going on around you, listen to peoples emotions and understand their choices.
A truly magical film that is simply flawless in its delivery of the state of dreaming but more importantly, the state of approaching your life with a confrontational and emotional stance, whether its basic human interaction or your decisions.
Beautiful and insightful.… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

BobE.

Apr 8, 2007

A film that requires repeated viewings, and even short 'rewinds' withing the film. Watch it once and then decide if you'd like to study it.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

The3AcademySins

Apr 3, 2019

Waking Life is a hallmark surrealist film from director Richard Linklater. Delving into subjects like the meaning of life, dreaming, the nature of dreams, the nature of the human experience, and philosophy, Waking Life somehow manages to be completely clear and focused in the message it isWaking Life is a hallmark surrealist film from director Richard Linklater. Delving into subjects like the meaning of life, dreaming, the nature of dreams, the nature of the human experience, and philosophy, Waking Life somehow manages to be completely clear and focused in the message it is delivering. What that message is, however, is completely open to interpretation. A dear friend of mine who turned me on to the movie described it as this, and I can't think of a better explanation of Waking Life: "I guess it is fun when being real is just a dream, and as valid as waking up from one."… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

DavidT.

Mar 29, 2007

I feel as though this film created exactly what I believe it was trying to escape, an effortless post-modern dichotomy. "Being wierd...for the sake of being wierd!" Terrible film.

0 of 1 users found this helpful

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24	#24 Best Movie of 2001
54	#54 Most Discussed Movie of 2001
49	#49 Most Shared Movie of 2001