Waking Life backdrop

Waking Life 2001 Directed by Richard Linklater

Dreams. What are they? An escape from reality or reality itself?

Waking Life is about a young man in a persistent lucid dream-like state. The film follows its protagonist as he initially observes and later participates in philosophical discussions that weave together issues like reality, free will, our relationships with others, and the meaning of life.

Country USA
Production Country USA
Language English
Spoken Language English
Budget $2,000,000
Revenue $3,176,880
Release Date 19 October 2001
101 mins
Cast
Julie Delpy Celine
Wiley Wiggins Main Character
Bill Wise Boat Car Guy
Alex E. Jones Man in Car with P.A.
Steven Soderbergh Interviewed on Television
Ken Webster Bartender
Charles Gunning Angry Man in Jail
Lorelei Linklater Young Girl Playing Paper Game
Trevor Jack Brooks Young Boy Playing Paper Game
Glover Gill Accordion Player
Lara Hicks Violin Player
Ames Asbell Viola Player
Leigh Mahoney Viola Player
Sara Nelson Cello Player
Jeanine Attaway Piano Player
Erik Grostick Bass Player
Robert C. Solomon Philosophy Professor
Eamonn Healy Shape-Shifting Man
J.C. Shakespeare Burning Man
Carol Dawson Coffee Shop Chatter
Lisa Moore Coffee Shop Chatter
Steve Fitch Chimpanzee
Alex Nixon Man Writing a Novel at the Bar
Kelly Rebecca Nichols Woman Talking to the Novel Writer (as Violet Nichols)
Steven Prince Man Talking to the Bartender
Mary McBay Woman on TV
Kregg A. Foote Man on TV
Jason T. Hodge Man with the Long Hair
John Christensen Guy Talking about Turning the Light on in Dreams
David Jewell Man Talking to Caveh
Adam Goldberg One of Four Men
Nicky Katt One of Four Men
Jason Liebrecht One of Four Men
Brent Green One of Four Men
RC Whittaker Man on the Lamppost
Hymie Samuelson Mr. Debord
David Martinez Man on the Train
Ryan Power Self / Young Disappearing Guy
Tiana Hux Soap Opera Woman
Steve Brudniak Goatee Man
Marta Banda Friendly Girl
Mona Lee Fultz Quiet Woman at Restaurant
Edith Mannix Older Artist in the Park
Bess Cox Old Woman Sitting for a Portrait
Louis Black Kierkegaard Disciple
Richard Linklater Pinball Playing Man / Man on Back of Boat
Kierstin Cunnington Goth Girl (uncredited)