Not many directors have painted as rich a tapestry of modern America as Richard Linklater.
From the Austin bohemians and misfits of “Slacker” to the romantic intellects of the “Before Sunrise” trilogy, while not forgetting the drug induced paranoia of “A Scanner Darkly,” the naïve ambition of “Everybody Wants Some!!,” and the decade long trials and tribulations of “Boyhood,” too.
Linklater is one of the most eclectic American filmmakers out there, which is exactly why he has had such longevity. That’s according to one other than Laurence Fishburne, who worked with Linklater on the acclaimed “Last Flag Flying” earlier this year.
“I feel like he refuses to give up. You have to remember that this guy doesn’t make, I mean, what is a typical Linklater movie? How do you describe that? He is very unusual. And he has got his own voice, and he has been developing and molding and shifting and evolving over the last 30 years.”
The “Apocalypse Now” actor made the above remarks when I talked with him over the phone back in September about his work on “Last Flag Flying,” a film that at the time was touted for awards season contention, but has now seemingly now been overlooked in favor of the likes of “Call Me By Your Name,” “Three Billboards In Ebbing, Missouri,” “Lady Bird,” and “The Post.”
That doesn’t take away from the film, though, as in “Last Flag Flying” Fishburne combines brilliantly with Bryan Cranston and especially Steve Carell, who really deserves to have earned more critical acclaim for his layered, subtle performance.
As per usual Richard Linklater has already moved onto his next project, though, as his upcoming movie “Where’d You Go, Bernadette” will be released on May 18 and will star Cate Blanchett, Billy Crudup, Kristen Wiig, Judy Greer, and, once again, Laurence Fishburne.
