Glory Daze (1995) User Reviews

A gem for it's genre...damnit

[winterdalecalls · 7/10 · 6 September 2006]

Honestly, much better than I was expecting. Without close examination of this movie's characters and their development, your average watcher would write this movie off as standard party movie genre with no heart or empathy. But, as a fan of this film, I've grown to see it for what it most likely was intended to be...a pleasant, relatable buddy flick whose characters could have only been based almost entirely on personal relationships. Questions we've all asked ourselves, and conversations we've all had exist in this film, in a non-figurative way. Growing up, and out of your comfort zone is all too common of a post adolescent's defining hour and that is exactly what this movie explores.

The music and sense of humor in Glory Daze are proof of a personal reliance towards the materiel and not just some A-hole producer/director trying to cash in on the maturing sentiment. Some might not be able to relate to it because of its seemingly personal aim, have you a "too serious metal dude" or...well, a girl, but I think that for your average free thinker, its an easy to connect with.

I'll keep it short. I'm gonna end with Kevin Smith on this one, I like Affleck, cause he's just a good dude, and so it seems are the rest of the cast and those involved in the creation of Glory Daze. Good dudes, who think, what more could you honestly ask from this movie?

Fun

[mikeiskorn · 5/10 · 21 March 2022]

I actually just bought the cassette of the soundtrack of this movie because the track list was amazing. I wish I had seen this movie when I was a teenager, it would have been my favourite film, but watching it as a 34 year old just made me think of a time gone by. Worth a watch even just to reminisce about your teen years.

aimless journey

[SnoopyStyle · 5/10 · 2 April 2017]

It's two days before Jack Freeman (Ben Affleck) graduates with a liberal arts degree from University of California. He lives with his friends cartoonist Mickey, long-time student Dennis (French Stewart), Slosh who keeps quitting his jobs, and Rob (Sam Rockwell). Rob is planning to move to LA with his girlfriend Joanie (Megan Ward) but he's worried about being so close to her mother. Dennis is offered a job with Professor Luther. Chelsea (Alyssa Milano) has a crush on Mickey but he treats her like a little sister. Jack has no plans for the future as he gets over his ex Dina. He wonders if he could extend his glory daze.

There is an aimlessness to the movie much like Jack. Rich Wilkes is unable to harness that into something more compelling. His directing level is strictly amateurish and holds no promise of anything better. It's fun to see some of these big names as their younger self in a small film. Matt Damon makes a cameo like Ben's lap dog which is fun. It's a rambling film without the skills or the knowing comedy. The cast keeps it interesting.

EXCELLENT MOVIE!

[jgarci11 · 14 December 2004]

Any one who a had a social life as a student at U.C. Santa Cruz, will love this movie. This movie was very poignant for me having spent my own college years doing the same exact stuff portrayed in the movie. It has just really helped me (nearly 10 years later) to find a bit of closure with what the heck happened back then during the greatest time of my life! I feel the acting was genuinely good. Ben really made the best out of this role. I can tell that the writer/director banged out enough background info. for the actors, so that they could know exactly how their characters should act. I love the scenes of Santa Cruz and especially liked the bus scene between Ben Affleck, Lhea Remini, and Brendan Frasier. Not only was Brendan dressed like I was back then, but I swear, I think, I had a convo. on the bus with a girlfriend while waiting for the damn train to pass, too. Yeah, every bus ride was an adventure! There is a strong moral in the movie, it's hard to find but it can be gleaned from any college graduate. Freedom from Fear leads to a Fear from Freedom. As for any banana slugs out there, save this movie when your thirty and you'll completely realize why you did what you did, and how Santa Cruz will always be on your mind. That's a good thing I believe, because we lived in a very special place that seems to create amazingly talented and successful people.

John Garcia -Class of '95 U.C. Santa Cruz, Oakes College

Currently a Certified History Teacher!

(Oh yeah, and Alyssa Milano is always so Stunningly Gorgeous!)

Bad movie with some great scenes and rockin tunes

[joeyam · 4/10 · 4 January 2000]

OK, "Animal House" it's not, but the film did have it's highlights. Scrap most of the movie and FF to the bus scene for a hilarious one-on-one between Ben Affleck and Jay Lacopo. Most of the music is in the foreground; it's done for a reason. Just listen. If all else fails, sit back and wait for the next close-up of the always eye-catching Alyssa Milano. And if that doesn't do it for you, rent "Animal House" again.

Fun 1990s Slcker Film

[gavin6942 · 6/10 · 27 January 2014]

Two days before graduation, Jack (Ben Affleck) is having serious doubts about the future. The old gang is breaking up; Rob is moving to LA with his girlfriend; Dennis (French Stewart) is finishing his third degree and going to grad school in Michigan; Slosh has dropped out of school and stays drunk all the time; and Mickey (Vinnie DeRamus) seems tired of the scene and wishes he had the guts to tell his friend Chelsea (Alyssa Milano) how he feels about her.

You have to love this incredible cast (including some who went on to much bigger and better things), with some nice cameos from Matt Damon as a hated ex-roommate and Matthew McConaughey as an alcoholic rental truck representative.

This is one of the many mid-90s slacker films, alongside "Stoned Age", "Suburbia" and others. While there is no explanation for Affleck's hairstyle and facial hair, it is nice to see him in this role circa "Good Will Hunting".

And those who were punks in the 1990s will appreciate the soundtrack: NOFX, Bad Religion, Tilt, The Mr. T Experience, Ednaswap, and Bouncing Souls. Did "SLC Punk" have a soundtrack this good?

Great location, terrible flick

[rekiwi · 1/10 · 8 September 2000]

Yes, this movie is about wanting to do nothing and, as such, does just about nothing. The film has some laughs (French Stewart is great), but there's nothing here to make me care about the characters. I felt like I was watching cardboard cutouts skate boarding, drinking, sculpting, partying, and trying to get laid, all covered with a thin veneer of angst. The only thing that kept me awake was recognizing all the locations around Santa Cruz. Go Slugs!!!

MTV Video Two Hours Long

[RARubin · 4/10 · 25 April 2005]

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, 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.

Surprised anyone could rate this movie 8/10 or higher

[Uslex3 · 1/10 · 2 August 2004]

I wish I would of came on here to see some of the ratings off this movie before actually watching it. Some people actually liked it which I am surprised but I guess everyone has their own opinions. I think this movie is very poor and do not recommend it to anyone. This movie I thought would be about teen life and the steps taken when you face the real world but all I saw was confusing story lines that went nowhere. This movie is not funny or entertaining at all. It is dull with boring dialogue and not worth seeing to the very least. If you wish to see a movie about stupid teens watch Dazed and Confused. Comparing this to Dazed and Confushed is a huge difference. Dazed and confused is a much better movie and I recommend to see that and never to see this. I rate this movie a 2/10. I give it a 2 instead of a 1 because I actually managed to watch the whole thing.

Perfect

[DrewBlanc · 10/10 · 13 May 2007]

I absolutely adore this film. I bought it after getting my hands on the soundtrack, which is also awesome, and it really hit the spot. Like many people have said before, if you've ever been in a similar situation, this film will resonate deeply! It really is intriguing to read reviews from people who hated it. Obviously that makes just as much sense as people who loved it, not everyone can relate to the story or understand the journey, but i wouldn't want people to be put off from seeing it purely on the strength of the negative reviews. Great performances from the whole cast, perfectly balanced with a brilliant punk soundtrack. A real gem.

Days before graduation college students have doubts about moving on to the next step in life, well, in-between beers they have doubts.

[The-Plague · 6/10 · 14 June 2014]

What do Ben Affleck and Sam Rockwell, have in common? Well, yes, they are all in this movie, but no. They are both now famous, respected actors, and movies like 'Glory Daze' helped shape their careers. The movie, set in the 90′s, follows a group of college students that just might not be ready to let go of the party life. Angst filled, angry, generation xers souped up on pizza and beer that just do not know where to go in life. I mean we can all relate to that right? Admittedly, when these Hollywood superstars made this movie they certainly weren't at their acting peak, but they held their own. Ben Affleck conveys the perfect combination of anger and uncertainty in life, and when you throw in relationship issues he becomes a pretty evolved character. Rockwell, the one with the girlfriend in the movie, faces an issue of every graduating guy in his position, "do I stick with her and get serious, or do I go get some strange?" His struggle is uncomfortable to watch, in a good way, especially when Matthew McConaughey makes a cameo showing him what his life could be if it goes terribly wrong. To avoid forming a list here I will just say the others also did a great job playing their parts, especially Slosh (Vien Hong), the former computer geek, current party animal.

Unlike some college movies that play off of pretty much every college stereotype, 'Glory Daze' seems more realistic and genuine. I actually found myself believing that these actors could be college students. They looked a bit old, but it was a far cry from the thirty year olds playing high schoolers on 90210.

Writer Director Rich Wilkes (Airheads) does an admirable creating believable characters, but does have some trouble with the flow of the story. I did find that I started to lose focus and become bored at times. A movie like this should be almost like the perfect mix tape, you start of strong, drop it down a notch, then right back up. Instead we start of with "Thunderstruck" and get twenty minutes of Coldplay, and no one wants that Speaking of mix tapes, 'Glory Daze' has a soundtrack that is filled with that 90′s music that is sure to ignite that nostalgic feeling of "oh yeah, I remember that " so sit back, enjoy the ride, and remember how much better things were the 90′s.

ick

[janiceflux · 2/10 · 18 March 2001]

self-righteous boys run around and act stupid, stereotype women and generally annoy me. wants to be a punk rock animal house with heart, but falls amazingly short. brendan fraser and spaulding gray have memorable small appearances, but not even that can save this film.

A Great Examination Of The Anxiety of Blossoming Adults

[cardinal134 · 21 February 2003]

I'm a big fan of the examination of teens and young adults (being a teenager myself) and Glory Daze is a great story of a group of best friends on the eve of adulthood and how basically all of them are terrified of moving on from college and into the real world.

During the movie we discover the various characteristics, interests, styles, dreams and aspirations of the various leading characters. Their stories intertwine, and involve each other in some way. All of the plots involved in Glory Daze are simple, but flow smoothly and steadily in the backdrop of campus parties and bonfires. The acting is superb and the cast is simply perfect(of course it's better to watch the movie now when most of the actors (Ben Affleck, Sam Rockwell, and French Stewart) all become more well known names. All of them are perfect in their roles as bewildered college students. I love the end of the movie (but I won't spoil anything). I recommend this movie to anyone, especially teenagers, who just want to watch a movie about the fun and anxiety of the last days of real youth. 9/10. I also recommend Dazed And Confused, a great teen movie.

I'm a slacker when it comes to praising movies about slackers.

[mark.waltz · 1/10 · 28 May 2023]

Completely clichéd and terribly unfunny, this deals with an alleged bunch of idiotic soon to be college graduates which makes me wonder just what they had to do in order to get their degrees. A group of five guys drink, leer, drool and expose themselves as fools, led by Ben Affleck, and he's about as likeable as a mosquito coming into a picnic just as ants have been chased off. Unlike some of the classic slob comedies dating back to "Animal House", this seems to be completely devoid of a plotline, and what there is doesn't make a whole lot of sense, especially when it expects the viewer to waste 90 minutes on it. John Rhys Davies says it best in telling Affleck off. "Nobody Cares". I only care that I invested time in watching this.

The Sun Also Rises

[caspian1978 · 5/10 · 9 September 2020]

For 1995, Glory Daze has a cast of talent equal to other films of its era like Dazed and Confused. However, although it is an amazing cast of actors, the characters of Glory Daze are equally as boring as Hemingway's depiction of the lost generation in the Sun Also Rises. As individual characters, each has a decent story to showcase but when they are put together, it is difficult to see a jell of interest as none of these characters fit the same description. Yes, they are diverse and each different, but they all lack a realistic collection as a single unit. Although the plot does effect each and everyone of the characters, it is not believable that they all share a common friendship and community similar to what Dazed and Confused offer. The plot of Glory Daze is worth it. The writing is somewhat strong but far from poetic. 25 years later, it is a marvel of a movie that was able to draw an amazing cast. Other than than, it falls short from being a timeless tale.

Boring Daze

[Uriah43 · 3/10 · 2 June 2023]

This film essentially begins with five college students sharing a house near their school and pondering what to do once their studies have completed in the near future. For his part, "Jack Freeman" (Ben Affleck) is still agonizing over his recent breakup with his girlfriend "Dina" (Kristin Baur) and desperately wants things to return to the way they were. Similarly, three of his friends also have difficult choices to make regarding their futures and would also prefer to keep things the way they are as well. However, none of them are quite prepared to emulate the fifth member of the group nicknamed "Slosh" (Vien Hong) who has chosen to forsake college all together and drifts from one meaningless job to another to support his partying lifestyle. The problem for all of them, however, is that they soon find that, sometimes, reality has a way of catching up to them. Now, rather than reveal any more, I will just say that, even though it had a number of well-known actors in the cast, none of them really stood out that much. At least, I didn't think so. Likewise, although the film is billed as a comedy, I honestly didn't find that much humor in it either. It just wasn't funny. In short, this turned out to be a rather dull movie for the most part, and I have rated it accordingly. Below average.

A better college movie than "Animal House"

[fixxxer1013 · 8/10 · 15 November 1999]

Ah, what a wonderful little gem "Glory Daze" is. Everyone extols the virtues of "Animal House," calling it the greatest college comedy ever, but for my generation of college students, I bet "Glory Daze" would be seen as a far better film (if only people would SEE it).

Ben Affleck is great in his portrayal of Jack, the ultimate purveyor of suburban angst. His scene with the jokester passing out graduation gowns is priceless, as is the confrontation on the bus with Brendan Fraser and Leah Remini. He gives a most memorable performance.

The best thing about "Glory Daze" is its honesty; even the tough, angry Jack breaks down when it comes to love. even he still seeks his "funny s**t". Give this one a chance; any college student should relate (especially those male ones who are free of the fraternity lifestyle).

Watch this movie with an open mind. Its a good one !!!

[sgbhtri · 9/10 · 1 January 2012]

What a movie !!! Its so cool, funny and intelligent and I love Ben Affleck in this. The movie manages to entertain more that huge movies with millions of dollars in budget. Its very down to earth and has some great moments that leave you happy. The trials and tribulations of the characters are so real and engrossing. I simply love it love it love it. Not one scene is wasted brilliant lines brilliant performances. In its own world and in its own league. I think the trick is that its funny but also nostalgic with a lot of sadness in it. So its a perfect combination. Not to give anything away, watch it if you like to think about your past and reflect on all the good/bad times. Its a treasure of a film. Its sad that not many people know of it. It's one of my favourites.

life or something like it

[Slosh42 · 9/10 · 2 April 2003]

You could compare this movie to PCU or Animal House, but that really doesn't do any of those movies justice. PCU and Animal house are very slapstick and obvious, while Glory Daze is more lifelike. The combination of depression, sarcasm, and random Kevin Smith-esque references work well. The rag-tag group of misfits that live at Rancho are all very different characters, but somehow, you can relate to every one of them. 9/10

Before they were stars

[grahamclarke · 4 March 2004]

Before you get excited about a cast that includes the likes of Brendan Fraser, Matthew McConaughey, Matt Damon and Leah Remini, ("The King of Queens"), let it be stated for the record that the sum total of screen time for these four players is something in the region of three minutes. At the time they were marked as new talent to be watched; before they became stars.

College comedies tend to be crude and downright stupid. While "Glory Daze" does have it's moments of such things it is redeemed by some good ensemble playing. Being the story of a bunch of guys renting a house it's crucial that the bond between the characters of this disparate group be palpable. In this, director Rich Wilkes has succeeded. While dealing with the serious issue of making decisions which will affect the rest of one's life, "Glory Daze" remains light, never losing sight of what it set out to be; a fun movie.

While it's not a whole lot of fun, it is watchable. Ben Affleck is surprisingly good in this early role, but that in itself is a back handed compliment, since it also indicates how little he's developed with his elevation to big star status. Sam Rockwell's humor and reticent charm never fails to work, though he's not called upon to do much. French Stewart is less irritating that one may expect as too is Alyssa Milano.

Interesting mainly for the cast, "Glory Daze' has a nice feel to it, but not one to seek out.

Just one of those truly touching, deep films.

[chungkao21 · 10/10 · 14 January 2001]

Remember that one period in your life that you wanted to last forever? Or perhaps that era of your life is now. God, on the outside, "Glory Daze" is a crude, depressing movie. However, it is my all time favorite because it is more than just a mere movie. It is what most movie makers dream of making: something entertaining, yet so substantial that you can't help but say "whoa" as the impact of what happens hits you. "Life is ever-changing," it says to you, "and we all try to stop it from changing at some point, but then we realize that we can't and find it better just to move on and continue to live."

Awesome !

[RhodesGr · 6 June 1999]

After graduating from college with a Master's Degree all I wanna do is just sit back and enjoy it for a while. I dont want to work quite yet and I don't want to "do" something with my Degree. The future can wait. This movie is about that. Sit back, relax and enjoy. You will never ever be 22-23 again ! Excellent casting...excellent setting...hilarious characters...great lines !

I remember...

[GrnNinja · 9/10 · 4 October 1999]

Dear lord, They had the cameras on me the whole time I was in college! Great movie. This is definitely one of the best encapsulations of a guy's life as he flounders through the years in search of becoming edjamacated.

Metaphor

[ddmplynx · 9/10 · 5 November 2003]

There is a shot or two depicting a clock in this film that totally make the movie for me. There are tons of cliched messages that are portrayed well throughout, but the way they delt with that "you can't stop life/ time)was magnificent. Being a male in his early twenties I love this film. It points out all our flaws, yet lets us embrace them.

Great Movie but watch it only once

[ErnieMuraoka · 10/10 · 13 July 2005]

Ben is superb in this angst-ridden comedy about the end of senior year in college at a west coast university. Ben is ONLY SUPERB when there are over 4 other cast members with a lot of speaking parts.

Affleck is like The Eagles. They're only good as a band. Solo, they're really marginal. I don't have to list his flops.

"Glory Daze" is pretty much a guy flick. I enjoyed the destruction of the frat house, the woven scenarios of the other cast members and the fact the writer/or director finally had an Asian actor in a role that had lines.

Afflect re-visits his "Chasing Amy" depression and whining that was tolerable, but we've been there before. However for Ben fans who haven't seen "Chasing" its a whimpering treat.

In summary, rent or just buy the DVD for the funny French Stewart lines, the destruction of the frat house, the Asian guy who actually has lines, that Milano chick, the music and the fact that there is no happy ending. I love comedies from Hollywood that don't have happy endings. Its sort of like "Animal House", it has an ending, but not particularly happy---it just ends.