Everybody Wants Some!! (2016)

Richard Linklater has become the modern master of the laidback, casual hangout film. His films often feature a few characters talking for the majority of the runtime and philosophizing about life and our greater place in the grand scheme of things. Sometimes his movie has conflict; Boyhood (2014), his 12-years-in-the-making odyssey, had an ill-advised subplot involving an alcoholic father; the Before series (1995 - 2013) mostly featured 2 people talking; and Waking Life (2001) has a weird, abstract animated film about weird, abstract ideas.

Everybody Wants Some!!, his latest film, has been billed as a spiritual sequel to Dazed and Confused (1993). Having not seen that film I cannot comment on how closely it mirrors that films style, but considering Dazed and Confused is set on the final day of High School, and Everybody Wants Some!! concerns the weekend leading up to the beginning of college classes, I have a pretty good idea of what lies in store.

And Everybody Wants Some!! is essentially a fairly laid back, enjoyable hangout film. Set in 1980, when disco reigned supreme and punk was being born, the film follows incoming Freshman Jake (Blake Jenner) as he arrives at college and the frat-style house he will reside in with his fellow baseball teammates. Over the course of the weekend Jake bonds with his new friends, gets laid, and generally has a pretty good time.

And that's pretty much it. In terms of drama and plot, its a thin movie. But that is what Linklater excels at, making films about characters hanging out and having a good time. His goal is for you to enjoy being with the characters, and leaving the movie feeling like you just had a good time at a party meeting some fun people and having interesting conversations. And he achieves that remarkably well.

The movie doesn't contain any cynicism, which is a nice, refreshing change of pace from most movies about college. The characters are at that point in their lives where seemingly anything is possible, and they face the future with the same glowing optimism that many of us contained back when we were entering college. These people are fairly carefree; life is not stressing them out yet, no bills or kids or mortgages. It's nice to remember that there was a time we were all like that, possibly, and it is fun to see that spirit recaptured. The title is taken directly from a Van Halen song, and according to Linklater means wanting to get laid, while also meaning wanting more out of life and what it holds in store.

Ultimately, I think Linklater succeeded very well at making a movie where you enjoy hanging out with the characters. He played College Baseball in the 80s himself, so the movie has a lot of personal elements he drew from, and many of the characters represent different facets of his personality. It's that personal touch that sells the film. Linklater has assembled a fun cast that has a great chemistry together, replicating the machismo nature of male competition (one-upsmanship is a constant game at their house) while staying true to the things that bring people together. It's a pleasant 2-hour visit with characters that remind you that at one time, life was full of promise. It's nice to reminded of that sometimes.