It's amazing how many people see this as a fun party movie considering how melancholy it is. That may be due to the realism on display, instantly recognizable to any small town kid regardless of their high school graduation date.
The nerds in Dazed and Confused remain nerds, the youthful romances are uncertain and the cool older guy who buys you beer really is a creep. There's alcohol, weed and lots of good music to get you through your horrible high school experience. Dazed and Confused wins by acknowledging these truths, while still delivering a great teen party movie.
