Writer/Director: Richard Linklater
Starring: Glen Powell, Zoey Deutch and Blake Jenner
‘A Captivating Comedy’
Not many actors in Hollywood have made films which are as iconic as Glen Powell. Ever since his rise to fame in the 1990’s, Powell has made memorable movies. Whether it’s con artists in dangers, aviators or strong lovers, Powell has portrayed several strong characters. Arguably, Powell’s strength as an actor has always been his strong screen presence. He is one of those rare actors that has often had an aptitude for stealing the show in supporting roles that have limited screen time. Even when he isn’t a main focus of a movie, Powell has always left a bold impression. An actor with a powerful presence, Powell has made many memorable films with a huge audience. An actor with charisma, Powell has become an icon in cinema. Throughout his long-lasting career, Powell has made several memorable movies which are definitely worth talking about.
I’m a huge fan of Powell and adore all the films which he has produced in his career. However, “Everybody Wants Some!” is definitely without doubt my favourite. Released in 2016, Richard Linklater’s movie offered a powerful portrait of school teens. Packed with strong production, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best comedies ever made. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Glen Powell, who portrayed a rebellious young teenager in tensions. Ultimately, what makes “Everybody Wants Some!” a classic is its bold appeal. Unlike most coming of age movies, the film tackles strong themes everyone will relate to. A riveting school classic, there are several strong reasons why “Everybody Wants Some!” is worth seeing.
“Everybody Wants Some!” tells story of teens that spend time together forming a bond over the course of his summer. Glen Powell portrays Finnegan, a rebellious teenager with a love for engaging in naughty behaviour. Finnegan has often gotten away with engaging in rebellious actions in school without facing a price to pay. Finnegan has always shared a powerful bond with Jake (Blake Jenner), whom he has loved dearly. However, Finnegan’s life soon changes when he discovers consequence of becoming a teenager. As all the odds become stacked against his favour, Finnegan soon begins to wonder if it’s possible to become a successful teenager. Faced with a dilemma, Finnegan is forced to question whether it’s possible for him to gain freedom in a bygone era.
Richard Linklater is fascinated with the lives of teenagers facing disaster. A bold filmmaker, Linklater has often made engaging movies about teens engaging in rebellious behaviour. His iconic film “Dazed and Confused” offered an engaging look at rebellious teens that are dazed and confused. With “Everybody Wants Some!”, however, he made his first coming of age drama. It was the filmmaker’s attempt to capture the lives of rebellious teenagers that face adversity but he succeeded immensely. Using captivating cinematography, Linklater captures a team of teenagers embarking on a journey to experience adversity. Evoking John Hughes’ “The Breakfast Club”, Linklater uses captivating montages capturing the tensions of teenagers that are bonding. For instance, montages elevate the party scene. During this unforgettable scene, Finnegan forms a strong bond with his peers during a high school party. Through stunning montages, Linklater creates a bold portrait of teenagers that is compelling. Montages are tricky techniques to use in films. As Joseph Kosinski’s “Top Gun: Maverick” did illustrate clearly, montages enhance aviation movies. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through stunning visuals, Linklater captures tensions that aviator pilots are often facing.
Another strong aspect of “Everybody Wants Some!” that merits appreciation is production. From a technical perspective, the movie is very well made. Linklater effectively uses costumes to capture the tension experienced by teens in a vacation. Throughout the movie, Finnegan’s costumes showcase his personality as a teen with rebellious nature. For instance, costumes elevate the reunion scene. During this heartfelt scene, Finnegan reunites with his friends after several years of separation. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. John Pritchett’s music is key towards the success of the movie. It gives the movie tense atmosphere capturing burden that teenagers bear. Through stunning production design, Linklater captures lives of rebellious teenagers that experience a steady decline.
Storytelling is one of the primary reasons why “Everybody Wants Some!” is a coming of age film that’s compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and effectively uses flashbacks that capture tensions teenagers forming bonds are facing. The film deftly switches back and forth among two timelines: flashbacks of Finnegan’s past and present day scenes of college. Using this non-linear structure, Linklater conveys the bonds of adolescents over time. For instance, non-linear storytelling elevates the childhood memory scene. During this memorable scene, Finnegan recounts memories of spending time with his friends during childhood. Flashbacks are often tricky techniques to use in movies. As Lee Isaac Chung’s “Twisters” claimed clearly, flashbacks elevate disaster movies about grim tornadoes. Nevertheless, it works extremely in this movie. Through a spectacular screenplay, Linklater captures the lives of teenagers which face a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Glen Powell delivers one of his greatest career performances as Finnegan. Powell achieved appreciation for playing confident aviators in action movies. With “Everybody Wants Some!”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to embody personality of a teenager facing adversity but he succeeds immensely. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most iconic role. Powell has often excelled at playing emotional heroes under pressures, and “Everybody Wants Some!” showcased his strengths as an actor. With bold expressions, he captures the angst, desperations and grief of a teenager. It’s a powerful performance by one of the most commemorated actors that’s working today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Glen Powell, the supporting cast is amazing and worthy of praise. Blake Jenner is fantastic, capturing rebellious nature of a teenager that is determined to create a positive future. Zoey Deutch is captivating, capturing the exuberant personality of a teenage girl whose dreams of success clash with harsh reality. Lastly, Wyatt Russell merits praise. As an alcoholic teenager, he brings hilarious comical relief to the movie.
Finally, “Everybody Wants Some!” would earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing the lives of teens facing tension. Unlike most films about teenagers, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It discusses powerful themes including identity, school and rebellion that would resonate with everyone. Viewers do not need to be familiar with the lives of commemorated teens in 1980’s to appreciate it. Therefore, “Everybody Wants Some!” Is one of those rare commemorated coming of age movies everyone would adore.
Fans of Glen Powell will definitely appreciate “Everybody Wants Some!” and so will movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A captivating high school classic, it celebrates an actor that’s iconic.
Nearly a decade following the release of a groundbreaking film about teenagers facing tension seeking to bond over a summer vacation, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actor that has built a strong reputation earning a huge following for his abilities to portray compelling characters in movies that deserve appreciation.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 