Unlike the MPAA we do not assign
one
inscrutable rating based on age, but 3 objective ratings for SEX/NUDITY, VIOLENCE/GORE
and PROFANITY on a scale of 0 to 10, from lowest to highest,
depending on quantity and context.
Impressionistically animated drama directed by Richard
Linklater about a man (Wiley Wiggins) who may or may not be in a dream state. We follow
him as he moves from place to place encountering odd characters who converse with him
about the meaning and reality of human existence, intriguing subjects from evolution to
reincarnation, and whether there's a difference between being awake and dreaming. Also
with Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy, Louis Black, Steve Brudniak, John Christensen, Lorelei
Linklater and Timothy Speed Levitch. [1:37]
SEX/NUDITY 2 - A man and woman kiss. One man talks about being able to have
as much sex as one would want when one is dreaming. A man and woman are seen talking in
bed together; he's bare-chested and she's in a tank top. A man is bare-chested and a man
is in bed with bare shoulders. Two couples dance.
VIOLENCE/GORE 3 - A man pours a tank of gas over his head and lights a match
setting himself on fire while people on the street watch; we see the man being engulfed in
flames. Two men shoot each other and we see splattered spots of blood. A man squats down
in a street and a car approaches; he is presumably hit but we don't see anything apart
from a frightened expression on his face. A man describes having shot a man several times
and talks about the man being covered with blood -- during this scene he has a large knife
in his hand. A man paces in a jail cell yelling and describing methods of torture
(apparently threatening his jailers). A man yells through a loud speaker as he drives his
car through streets. Scenes from rock concerts are seen where the performers swing their
instruments around and throw them.
the review continues below...
PROFANITY 5 - 5 F-words and one obscene hand gesture, 4 scatological terms,
6 anatomical terms, 5 mild obscenities, 2 derogatory terms for homosexuals. [profanity glossary]
DISCUSSION TOPICS - Dreams, time, illusions, death, evolution,
self-destructive behavior, chaos, reincarnation, collective memory, free will,
individuality, control, doubt, the right to bear arms, isolation, alienation, restraint.
MESSAGE - It's what you do with what you have that determines the direction
of your life. Savor life.
(Note: There are a few conversations about God's place in the existence of the
universe. A few characters are seen smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol.)
A CAVEAT: We've gone through several editorial changes since we
started covering films in 1992 and some of our early standards were
not as stringent as they are now. We therefore need to revisit many
older reviews, especially those written prior to 1998 or so; please
keep this in mind if you're consulting a review from that period.
While we plan to revisit and correct older reviews our resources are
limited and it is a slow, time-consuming process.
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