It's Impossible to Learn to Plow by Reading Books
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox film
| name = It's Impossible to Learn to Plow by Reading Books
| image = File:Film_Poster_for_It's_Impossible_to_Learn_to_Plow_by_Reading_Books.jpg
| alt =
| caption =
| director = Richard Linklater
| producer = Richard Linklater
| writer = Richard Linklater
| starring = Richard Linklater
| music =
| cinematography = Richard Linklater
| editing = Richard Linklater
| studio = Detour Filmproduction
| distributor =
| released = {{Film date|1988}}
| runtime = 86 minutes
| country = United States
| language = English
| budget = $3,000
}}
It's Impossible to Learn to Plow by Reading Books is a 1988 American road film written, produced, and directed by Richard Linklater, who also stars in it.
Plot
The protagonist (played by Linklater) receives a cassette tape from a friend, with a recorded message encouraging him to "blow off school" and leave Austin. The protagonist goes about his daily activities, including shooting a gun from his window. He gets on a train and after a long journey, meets his friend in Missoula, Montana. They visit Glacier National Park and walk through town, before the protagonist leaves to visit West Coast cities such as San Francisco, also by train.
He arrives back in Austin, only to travel to a family reunion and his mother's house. Finally, the protagonist returns to Austin once again.{{Cite book |last=Johnson |first=David T. |title=Richard Linklater |publisher=University of Illinois |year=2012 |isbn=9780252078507 |pages=12–13}}
Production
Release
The film never received a widespread release, but was made available as a bonus feature on the DVD and Blu-ray release of Linklater's film Slacker (1990) by The Criterion Collection.{{cite web|url=http://www.criterion.com/current/posts/1061-on-it-s-impossible-to-learn-to-plowby-reading-books |title=On It's Impossible to Learn to Plow by Reading Books - From the Current - The Criterion Collection |publisher=Criterion.com |date=2004-09-13 |access-date=2013-01-15}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb title|0095385|It's Impossible to Learn to Plow by Reading Books}}
{{Richard Linklater}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:It's Impossible To Learn To Plow By Reading Books}}
Category:1988 comedy-drama films
Category:American comedy-drama films
Category:1980s English-language films
Category:Films directed by Richard Linklater
Category:American independent films
Category:1988 directorial debut films
Category:English-language comedy-drama films
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