We hadn't heard from Richard Linklater since his triumph 2 years ago with Boyhood. On April 1st the director of such incredible works as Dazed and Confused, Waking Life and Before Sunset is back at it, this new film entitled Everybody Wants Some is actually a spiritual successor to Dazed. Early word of mouth has been truly tremendous for Everybody Wants Some, originally titled That's What I'm Talkin' About, with Peter Travers even tweeting late last year about his delighted reaction. It's premiering at SXSW this week and will be screened for critics throughout the country the next few weeks. I know there's a screening in San Francisco on March 15th, I am in San Fran at the moment, but it seems like I will just miss the cut as I am leaving the day before.
Linklater has been a peculiar kind of guy, as he has kept reinventing himself throughout his 20+ year career as filmmaker. This seems to be the total opposite of his more contemplative work, but that's where his roots began as well. Dazed and Confused was the iconic Linklater picture before he decide to pull a Rohmer and make Before Sunset, Waking Life, Tape, Boyhood, Before Midnight etc.
Will Brittain, Zoey Deutch, Ryan Anthony Guzman, Tyler Hoechlin, Blake Jenner, Glen Powell and Wyatt Russell make up the ensemble which seems to be as much of an ode to the 80's as Dazed was to the 70's, the big question really is: Will it be Dazed and Confused level great? Or will this be a good, thoroughly watchable Linklater ala Suburbia? The release date is April 15th.