SubUrbia
Director: Richard Linklater.
Screenplay: Eric Bogosian.
Starring: Giovanni Ribisi, Steve Zahn, Nicky Katt, Amie Carey, Parker Posey, Joyce Bartok, Ajay Naidu, Dina Spybey, Samia Shoaib.
“Idealism is guilty middle-class bullshit”
Having already delivered Slacker in 1991 and Dazed and Confused in 1993, Richard Linklater’s third film, SubUrbia, somewhat confirmed him as a voice for the disillusioned youth and their struggling transition into adulthood. This is a recurrent theme among his films and has lasted from his debut, to his most recent 2014 film Boyhood. A lot of director’s are often drawn to a particular niche and it would seem that this is where Linklater comfortably resides. 
Jeff (Giovanni Ribisi), Tim (Nicky Katt) and Buff (Steve Zahn) are three aimless friends that do nothing more than hang around their all-night convenience store, drinking, eating pizza and bitching about life in general. On one particular evening, they await the arrival of old high-school friend Pony (Joyce Bartok) who is now a successful musician. As the night progresses, though, tension, jealousy and resentment begin to grow.
Taking a break from writing duties and focusing on the work of playwright (and sometime actor) Eric Bogosian, Linkater finds a project that is not unlike his own material. However, there’s a slightly angrier and darker piece of work here that’s a little out of Linklater’s usual comfort zone. Like a lot of his films there’s very little in terms of plot as it focuses on a bunch of friends hanging out and discussing their lives, the choices they’ve made and where their futures might lie. Again, like many Linklater films, it doesn’t sound too appealing on the surface but he has a real knack for capturing natural dialogue and performances and that’s where the film really finds it’s feet. The always reliable Giovanni Ribisi waxes philosophical in true Linklater fashion while we have Steve Zahn lightening the mood in a film that’s predominantly concerned with pessimistic conversation.
As always, Linklater has a good eye and feel for small town, Texan mentality and he films with a colourful vibrancy whereby many scenes and exchanges of dialogue could be cut and pasted directly into Dazed and Confused and they’d appear seamless. The sticking point of the whole affair, however, is the running time; it’s just shy of the two hour mark and you do get the feeling that the characters overstay their welcome, particularly as the tone of the material gets darker and more depressing. That being said, this is still another enjoyable outing from Linklater.
A sharp and observant character piece that fits comfortably into Linklater’s cannon of films and once again showcases his ability to capture the disenchanted, cynical youth on the periphery of society. It’s one that fans of his will not be disappointed in.
Mark Walker
Trivia: Steve Zahn and Samia Shoaib are the two cast members who were featured in the original run of Eric Bogosian’s play as well as the movie.
MARKED MOVIES 
November 20, 2015 at 3:36 pm
One of Linklater’s I have to catch up to. Thanks for the reminder, Mark. 🙂
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November 20, 2015 at 8:39 pm
It’s a good flick, Michael. Slightly darker than Linklater’s usual work but that’s down to Eric Bogosian’s play. Speaking of which, I’m now put in mind to catch his turn as the vitriolic DJ in Oliver Stone’s Talk Radio. It’s been too long since I caught that.
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November 20, 2015 at 4:42 pm
This feels like a reminder to me too – I practically forgot this existed. Will have to revisit just on principle.
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November 20, 2015 at 8:40 pm
Not a film I hear many speak of, Jay. Which is a shame really. It’s deserving of more attention.
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November 20, 2015 at 5:03 pm
Hate movies that run overlong. Always a real shame. I hadn’t noticed you were back blogging regularly. Sorry dude.
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November 20, 2015 at 8:41 pm
Hey buddy. No worries. I kind of snuck back into blogging and just throwing some stuff put while I’ve still got the bug.
As for this film, I wouldn’t right it off. It’s actually very good.
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November 20, 2015 at 8:43 pm
Please don’t lose the bug 🙂
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November 20, 2015 at 8:44 pm
Haha! I’m trying not to. 🙂
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November 20, 2015 at 8:27 pm
Mark, nice review. ‘Dazed and Confused’ was my high school experience (guys really wore tight painter’s pants!).I missed this one, but can’t say I want to rush out and rent it.
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November 20, 2015 at 8:43 pm
Ha! Dazed and Confused is a real favourite of mine, Cindy. Still Linklater’s best film in my opinion. Don’t judge this one too soon, though. This has a lot offer and despite it sounding mundane, Linklater keeps it flowing nicely. Very well acted too.
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November 20, 2015 at 9:24 pm
Nice review bro. This is one Linklater flick that I haven’t seen. Just mentioning it in the same company as Dazed and Confused is pretty incredible. I’m actually not a big fan of Ribisi but it sounds like he hits the right notes here.
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November 20, 2015 at 9:29 pm
Cheers bro! It’s well worth a look. Dazed and Confused is still his finest for me but this does bring some reminders of that. I actually quite like Ribisi so I suppose that helped but everyone else gets plenty to do as well. There’s no one better out there that can capture these types of scenarios and characters the way Linklater can. I’d recommend this one.
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November 21, 2015 at 3:11 am
Great work Mark, I’ll need to give this one a go. Become a big fan of Linklater since seeing Boyhood and Before Sunrise.
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November 21, 2015 at 2:59 pm
Linklater has always been a real favourite of mine, mate. I’ve seen all his films bar “Me and Orson Welles” (which I own a copy of). He does good stuff. Is highly recommend Dazed and Confused. Think American Graffiti, only better.
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November 21, 2015 at 11:31 pm
I watched Dazed and Confused fairly recently actually. Really liked it. A bit John Hughesy, great stuff! Also a big fan of School of Rock.
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November 23, 2015 at 9:36 pm
I’m not a huge Jack Black fan but School of Rock and Bernie are two films that I thought he was perfect in.
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November 24, 2015 at 3:51 am
Bernie’s one I need to catch up on!
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November 24, 2015 at 9:36 am
That’s a good one. I really enjoyed Bernie.
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November 22, 2015 at 8:16 pm
Linklater is a legend isn’t he? This is a great man too; man it’s been ages since I’ve seen this!
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November 23, 2015 at 9:37 pm
Love me some Linklater! Such a great director that it baffles me more people don’t take notice.
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November 23, 2015 at 7:47 am
I am almost sure that I saw this as a kid, that poster is super familiar. However, I might have to check it out again anyway. Great review Mark!
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November 23, 2015 at 9:38 pm
Cheers Zoe. It was years ago that I seen it and it still held up on a revisit. It would do no harm to take another look.
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November 24, 2015 at 11:11 am
From reading this review, I know I gotta watch more of the stuff from Linklater.
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November 24, 2015 at 6:45 pm
I’m a big fan, Vinnie. I can understand if people didn’t take to Linklater but I like the majority of his films. I reckon he’s a real talent that has the vision to try different things on a regular basis.
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November 24, 2015 at 9:27 pm
I’ll be sure to work my way through his movies Mark.
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November 24, 2015 at 11:56 pm
You could do much worse, my friend! Much worse! 🙂
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November 25, 2015 at 9:17 am
Oh yeah, this guys movies sound really good.
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November 25, 2015 at 10:58 am
Not all of them. But most of them! 🙂
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November 25, 2015 at 11:18 am
I have so many movies I gotta watch, my ass needs to get in gear.
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