It's been said that the first 21 years defines the career of an artist. Few directors have single-handedly shaken up the film establishment like the godfather of indie, Richard Linklater. From the groundbreaking SLACKER to his innovative BOYHOOD, Linklater has just reached the 21-year mark and has unapologetically carved his signature into American pop culture. This compelling documentary takes you on a behind the scenes tour into Linklater's style, skills, and motivation via... (Full plot summary below)
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It's been said that the first 21 years defines the career of an artist. Few directors have single-handedly shaken up the film establishment like the godfather of indie, Richard Linklater. From the groundbreaking SLACKER to his innovative BOYHOOD, Linklater has just reached the 21-year mark and has unapologetically carved his signature into American pop culture. This compelling documentary takes you on a behind the scenes tour into Linklater's style, skills, and motivation via his friends, actors, and other directors. Get a raw and honest perspective on Richard through candid conversations with Ethan Hawke, Jack Black, Keanu Reeves, Billy Bob Thornton, Matthew McConaughey, Jason Reitman, Julie Delpy and others, and see their stories brought to life through hilarious animated sequences. For a guy who became famous for celebrating the cool and casual, Linklater emerges as a surprisingly strategic and visionary director who has already established a legacy and perfected a style that can't be denied.
Leave your thoughts about 21 Years: Richard Linklater.
| Austin American-StatesmanJoe GrossThe massively frustrating 21 Years: Richard Linklater is a perfect example of the difference between a great subject and a great (or even a good) documentary. |
| New York Daily NewsJoe NeumaierThere are great clips and good insight, and it’s all as loose and cool as an Austin night out. |
| The New York TimesAndy WebsterThe luminaries in “21” pay deserving tribute to Mr. Linklater. Soon, perhaps, so will the Academy |
| AV ClubJesse HassengerThose who already admire the director may not find a stunning level of insight, and the curious but unindoctrinated would be better served by starting with one his actual films rather than a rundown of them. But there’s a certain satisfaction in a rundown of a career as rich and varied as Linklater’s, not unlike the pleasure of watching a well-edited Oscar tribute reel. |
| Hollywood ReporterJohn DeForeAn amiable but wholly unnecessary movie that plays like a feature-length version of those reels one watches while eating rubber chicken at a banquet honoring a much-loved artist. |
| The PlaylistOktay Ege KozakAs a stand-alone doc, "21 Years" is not worthy of a trip to the theater, but should be more than satisfactory for hardcore Linklater fans and is essential viewing for newcomers. |
| RogerEbert.comMatt Zoller SeitzIf nothing else, McConaughey's goofball autodidact's intensity certifies that there is, in fact, a "Matthew McConaughey" type of character, and that McConaughey originated it. |
| OregonianJamie S. RichThe resulting tribute may be a puff piece, but it's also informative and often entertaining. |
| Austin ChronicleMarjorie BaumgartenIt’s perhaps surprising that there aren’t more Linklater documentaries out there, considering how substantial, influential, and plain f---ing brilliant his body of work is. In the meantime, 21 Years will have to do. |
| Slant MagazineCarson LundOf greatest damage to the doc's coherence is its wholehearted belief that its subjects are offering firsthand reports worth hearing. |
