Glory Daze

Amazon.com

Rich Wilkes's film is like an archeological dig that provides a historical look at some of the 1990s' hottest actors emoting the angst and confusion of college grads. Ben Affleck stars as a guy whose life hits bottom when his girlfriend dumps him, and so he then tries to make it a constant party. He faces confrontations with his dad, who wants him to "get serious," and his pompous professor, who belittles his work. And though he also faces the dissolution of his best friendships--his housemates in "El Rancho Grande"--it's growing up that bothers him. "I don't know what's going on anymore," he says. "When I was 18, everything was great. Now nothing makes me laugh."

Affleck sports a goatee and a mohawk, not to mention a grunge wardrobe that wouldn't be allowed on the set of one of the more corporate-driven blockbusters in which he has since appeared. He is supported by French Stewart, who is almost as alien playing a student as he is playing an alien on Third Rock from the Sun. Affleck's buddy Matt Damon does a literal walk-through, and even though Matthew McConaughey mugs without mercy, it's Brendan Fraser who steals the film with a hilarious bit. Alyssa Milano also gives a touching performance that far exceeds her TV persona. Although the movie presents itself as a comedy, it's filled with youthful rage. Ever since The Graduate, movies have portrayed the plight of idealistic kids shot from cannons into the questionable world around them, and Glory Daze speaks to the '90s in that tradition. --Lloyd Chesley

Customer Reviews:

A witty film for young adults in the real world.......2006-07-16

This film is good for a giggle. Not a classic, but something to pull down off the shelf when you're after a laugh. Quite abstract and off beat with some of it's jokes it makes for an intelligent comedy (rare for the college comedy genre films such as 'American Pie').
Young adults facing the question of "What comes next in life" should relate quite well to the films main character played nicely by the talented actor Ben Affleck before he made it big.
If you're after a witty (sometimes bitter) comedy this is for you.
Fans of punk rock will love the soundtrack, especially the Vandals song "It's A Fact".
If any of the above sounds interesting to you, do yourself a favour and check out this film.

MTV Shallow.......2005-04-26

Slick like a MTV video, rap pulsating in the background, punky
post-grunge set and clothing, Glory Daze amuses, but it's shallow,clichéd amusement. The senior year at college winds down and all the stereo-types jam a run down student's house. The beer flows, the girls hang around for what reason I don't know (duh), and the furniture is smashed. Cool huh? OK, my senior year wasn't much different back in 69, just more drugs, but what did we learn? For most kids, we didn't learn a
whole lot. That's why it's tough to make immature personalities come alive in film. It takes a real artist, but what the hell, last chance to make a fool of yourself without consequence, usually.

Horrible.......2005-03-21

This movie is terrible. The script is bad, and the acting is even worse. There are virtually no laughs the entire movie, the characters are boring and uninteresting.

This is easily one of the most realistic "college" films...........2005-02-02

I love this movie from beginning to end. I rented it in 1997 and immediately bought a VHS copy. As soon as the dvd hit the shelves, it was mine. I turned my old roommate onto this film (in '98) and he started watching it almost every day. We even built a bar for our little "party house" at the time and quoted this film all the time. I thought the characters were very believable because I was one of them myself (liked punk, hated authority and never wanted the party to end). Affleck is excellent as is the rest of the cast. You would swear these guys were really great friends as the chemistry seemed very real. I am 35 now with a wife and 3 year old son, but I still put Glory Daze in at least once a month, just to remember the good old days of little responsibility and nothing but the mysterious future up ahead.

9 out of 10.......2004-08-16

Glory Daze surprised me with its great story and top of the line acting, without failing to mention the incredible chemistry in the affinity of the five male college students. This is much unlike a fraternity group that gives out the typical stereotype normally found in any college movie. Rob Wilkes, the director, takes this film into a different direction of the college days. Totally, this reminds me what I used to go through what Jack, played by Ben Affleck, went through. I had that type of friends, girlfriend problems, reality issues to be dealt with, and unsure parents. It really hit the understanding of what I was facing, and often, I hated to give it up. Ultimately, the college days were over for me, and we moved on. So simple a film, the deep the meanings were. I applaud the performances, a surprisingly top-notch performance given by Ben Affleck followed by the rest of the cast members. I enjoyed those cameos by Matt Damon, Matt McConaughney (that was a world-class cameo), and Brendan Fraiser. This film is definitely better than Reality Bites, although the themes are very similar. Glory Daze gave some unpredictable moments which I enjoyed. A few great twists. Ben Affleck has really been very impressive. I can't say enough about his work. Another actor, French Stewart, has done a marvelous job here also. Glory Daze is the one I would recommend to anyone, especially those who have gone through college days and wanted to know what it feels like again. This is a real gem.

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