Slacker Cinema has been prospering for decades, possibly because we enjoy watching loveable, charismatic characters with potential waste their life and dodge responsibility.
Some think that Richard Linklater’s 1991 independent film, Slacker, was responsible for the creation of the slacker film. The movie wasn’t the first to feature slackers, but it has certainly played a major part in inspiring the tradition.
With Slacker Superhero movie Hancock hitting cinemas in early July, you’ll need a refresher course on the influence lazy, futureless characters have had on cinema. Let’s take a look at the upper echelon. Here’s the “top five” of Slacker Cinema.
#5 Will Hunting
From…
Good Will Hunting. Written by and starring both Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. Directed by Gus Van Sant. Released in 1997.
The Slacker
Will Hunting (Matt Damon) is a young and brilliant mind, able to understand the most advanced mathematical concepts better than anyone has in a long while. He is a prodigy, predicted to be able to offer as much to the world as Einstein did. Unfortunately for the world, Will Hunting lives only to waste his life away as a janitor, get drunk and start fights, like a true slacker.
Great Slacker Moment
This is the correct way to intentionally botch a job interview:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOtVg05JLPc&hl=en
#4 Randal Graves
From…
Clerks. An independent hit and one of the classics of Slacker Cinema. Director, Kevin Smith’s first movie. Released in 1994.
The Slacker
Randal Graves (Jeff Anderson) is a typical slacker in that he has no motivation. He also doesn’t care about anyone but himself. He spends his life working in a video store. He is unpunctual, unfriendly, and careless. He has no problem closing the store for five minutes during his shift to have a chat with the guy at the nearby convenience store, and he has no problem telling rude customers where to go.
Great Slacker Moment
This clip conveys Randall’s attitude to work perfectly:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8H7wUKryrw&hl=en
#3 Smokey
From…
Friday. The classic comedy starring gangster rapper, Ice Cube, and crazy funny man, Chris Tucker. Released in 1995.
The Slacker
Friday is not the only day of the week Smokey (Chris Tucker) has nothing to do. He is an irresponsible, carefree dope smoker. He deals drugs, unsuccessfully. When not not working, Smokey spends his days sitting around, getting high, and making fun of the locals. He never has any short term plans, and just like a good slacker, he is either unwilling or unable to plan for his future.
Great Slacker Moment
Smokey, doing what he does best:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYvuoGC8k5E
#2 Peter La Fleur
From…
Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story. The 2002 sports comedy, starring Vince Vaughn and Ben Stiller. Directed by newcomer writer/director, Rawson Marshall Thurber.
The Slacker
The smart ass, carefree Peter La Fleur (Vince Vaughn) is a loveable gym owner who frequently turns up to work hung over. He can, because he owns the place. La Fleur likes to quit, because slackers don’t do hard things. An inspiration to slackers everywhere, his motivation is beautiful: “I found out that if you have a goal, you might not reach it. But if you don’t have one, then you are never disappointed.”
Great Slacker Moment
La Fleur converses with Lance Armstrong (who can’t act) about quitting:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNJTDt9d6Kk
#1 The Knocked Up Gang
From…
Knocked Up. The romantic comedy for both women and men. Written and directed by comedy genius, Judd Apatow. Released in 2007.
The Slackers
Ben (Seth Rogen), Jonah (Jonah Hill), Jay (Jason Segel), and Martin (Martin Starr) all happily live together in a share house. They like nothing more than to waste their time getting high, mucking around, and talking about movies. Mostly, they have no jobs, and no ambitions, and thus are the royalty of slackers.
Great Slacker Moment
Practical jokes around can have their dangers:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W56WagyhEAY&feature=related
The Cult 