Watch Glory Daze
- R
- 1996
- 1 hr 40 min
-
5.6 (3,791)
Glory Daze is a coming-of-age film that revolves around a group of college friends who have just graduated and must face the realities and challenges of post-college life. The film is set in the mid-90s and is a nostalgic look back on Gen Xers' college experience. The central character of the movie is Jack (Ben Affleck), who is a recent college graduate who is at a crossroads in his life. Uncertain about his future, Jack decides to take a break from the real world before jumping into a job or further studies. He decides to spend his summer with his old college buddies in a non-stop party spree.
The movie is set in Los Angeles, and the glitz and glamour of the city add to the film's appeal. Jack's group includes a motley crew of friends, including Mickey (Matthew McConaughey), Slosh (French Stewart), Peregrine (Sam Rockwell), Rob (Vinnie DeRamus), and Dennis (Vien Hong), who are all struggling to find their place in the world.
As they begin their summer of debauchery, they come across various characters that help them understand and cope with their fears, hopes, and aspirations. There is a drug dealer called Martin (John Rhys-Davies), who has a profound influence on Jack's life, providing him with direction and a sense of purpose.
Another key character is Joanie (Megan Ward), who has a crush on Jack, but he is slow on the uptake. Their relationship is complicated and exemplifies the movie's theme, which is about friends and the challenges of life after college as everyone tries to find their unique path.
The movie tackles several themes that are common to most college graduates. There is the issue of unemployment, feeling lost about what to do with your life, financial difficulty, and the struggle to find one's identity in a society where conformity is the norm.
As the film progresses, we see the characters come to terms with their fears, and they begin to embrace new ideas and adapt to changing circumstances. For instance, Mickey's obsession with conspiracy theories seems out of place at first, but it leads him to discover a new career path in journalism. Rob, a science nerd, learns to develop his interpersonal skills and interact better with people.
During the summer, the group parties hard, gets intoxicated, takes drugs, and participates in wacky stunts that would make Animal House proud. The humor in the movie is both subtle and outrageous, with many laugh-out-loud moments.
But as the summer winds down, the characters realize they must face the harsh reality of their futures. They must find jobs, find a way to survive financially, and find their place in a world where change is constant.
The movie's climax occurs when Jack is faced with a difficult decision that affects not only his future but also his relationship with Joanie. The moral of the story is that sometimes we must make difficult choices in life, and the path to success might not always be the one we envisioned.
Overall, the movie captures the spirit of the mid-90s, and the struggles and challenges that college graduates faced back then are still relevant today. The characters are relatable, and their journey is both hilarious and thought-provoking. The film is an excellent piece of entertainment that captures the essence of Gen X culture and is a must-watch for anyone looking for a good laugh and a trip down memory lane.
Glory Daze is a 1996 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.6.