1969
Directed by Dennis Hopper
I will try not to get too sentimental here but WE HAVE REACHED 500!! I hope my readers have enjoyed this journey as much as I have. I have a blast writing these reviews and reading everybody's comments. Here's to the next 500!
Unfortunately, we have to start second half on a somewhat sour note. Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda (the far less attractive son of Henry Fonda) decide to take a road trip to New Orleans for Mardi Gras, having just received a large sum of money from smuggling cocaine into the country. Along the way, they pick up a small town lawyer (Jack Nicholson) and consume a lot of drugs. American Dream is not what it is cracked up to be, etc.
Let's get my gripes out of the way quickly so we can finally get to a movie that I actually enjoy. First of all, I am not a big fan of psychedelic adventures. I have always hated Alice in Wonderland for this reason and I actually threw Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas across the room after reading it (I was feeling melodramatic that day). I was completely bored throughout this film; however, if you enjoy that kind of stuff I imagine the film would be a lot more bearable.
To have actors stay in character while ingesting large amounts of drugs is a lot to ask. I personally don't think it came across so well. I was very aware that everyone was acting and that is coming from me, a sworn Nicholson worshipper.
A complete bore to sit through. Please tell me a good movie is coming soon.
RATING: **---
Interesting Facts:
Dennis Hopper was in a state of constant paranoia during filming and would often yell at the crew.
The weird lighting effects that took place during the LSD scenes were caused by the film accidentally being exposed before development.
Ah, Amanda, one of those occasional situations where i think we have a generation gap to contend with.
ReplyDeleteI actually agree with a lot of what you dislike about this film.. the acid trip in the cemetery is BORING.. to the extent it could almost be used as an anti drugs short.. By todays standard so much of the ideology and dialog is corny and dated. Some of the imagery..such as pointedly throwing away his watch and looking into the distance in a deep and meaningful way seems so cliched.. now. Yes, there are many things 'not that good' about easy rider
But...sorry, despite all that.. I still like this one.. a lot.
I tentatively admit to even having a poster of it up at home.. (Hey, gimme a break.. I could do a lot worse.. Let me assure you I have NEVER wanted a poster of a female tennis play scratching her bum.. or a hunky muscle bound guy holding a baby in B&W or an ape sitting on a toilet with a speech bubble..)
It's not my fault.. I'm in my late 50's.. and I ride a motorbike and have long hair in a plait. I'm legally obliged to like this one..
Wow I did not picture you riding a motorcycle and having long hair! That was a surprise to read!
DeleteI didn't cut my hair when I went backpacking for a year, just because I thought it would be a laugh to take the opportunity to see what it looked like. And, yes, there were a couple of times in Laos when I rented a motorbike for the day.
DeleteBut for the rest of my life I've always used a pedal bike and been strictly a short-back-and-sides man.
Well, I don't look like a refugee from ZZ top.. and the long hair is in a neat (but arguably cliched) plait...
ReplyDeleteThe bike is a sedate, medium sized rather old fashioned style one (A Kawasaki GT 550 for anyone that wants to know), and I promise I have absolutely no skulls on my jacket and the bike has no naked women with dragons on a chain painted on it.
Haha I laughed out loud at your comment. Yes, you do not seem like the biker gang type.
DeleteI just reached the halfway mark with the 2019 edition: I'm officially halfdead. :) I'm not following the chronological order, so it's always exciting for me to see which film will be your next one: have I seen it or not yet.
ReplyDeleteI guess I land somewhere between you an Ray on this one. I liked it more for its significance than for itself. The imagery and the music is iconic and so is the randomness of the narrative, but it is also terribly frustrating to watch as if it needed some proper direction. I am probably more on the plus side though and that despite not driving a motorbike. Also my hair is usually rather short. The little that is left...
ReplyDelete