Where'd You Go, Bernadette (2019)

While "Where'd You Go, Bernadette" isn't a typical Richard Linklater film, it certainly showcases his talent for character-driven storytelling and his distinct visual style. Though the narrative, based on Maria Semple's novel, has its moments of quirky, offbeat humor, Linklater masterfully utilizes a series of unconventional storytelling techniques. He leans into a fragmented narrative structure, much like the characters themselves, to build a portrait of a struggling artist and mother. This allows him to explore themes of creative burnout, social anxiety, and the importance of finding one's place in the world, all familiar threads in Linklater's broader body of work. The film’s charm lies in its focus on Bernadette Fox, a complex and eccentric protagonist, whose journey of self-discovery resonates with Linklater's trademark sensitivity. Linklater's ability to create realistic and relatable characters, even in unconventional scenarios, is evident. He elevates the often-absurdist aspects of the story with a grounded and empathetic approach. Though perhaps less explicitly philosophical than some of his more acclaimed works, "Where'd You Go, Bernadette" still demonstrates Linklater's knack for exploring the human condition with a unique blend of humor, heart, and thoughtful observation, solidifying its place among his best work.