Runtime: 95 minutes
Directed by: Dennis Hopper
Starring: Hopper, Peter
Fonda (RIP), Jack Nicholson, Karen Black, Toni Basil
From: Columbia
Between this movie now being half a century old and paying tribute to
the late Peter Fonda, last night seemed like the right time to watch
this counterculture classic, which unexpectedly was one of the biggest
hits of '69 and was one of the motion pictures that helped in the great
New Hollywood era of the 1970's, where plenty of bold films were made
and directors had plenty of artistic freedom.
I understand how some may not like the groove of this, and thought it was boring or pointless. Me, I happen to disagree and even half a century later this is still intriguing and full of important statements about this time period, but this is more than just a snapshot of the era for those that weren't alive to experience it. Fonda and director Dennis Hopper are rebel bikers Wyatt and Billy, riding choppers and heading from Los Angeles to New Orleans to experience Mardi Gras after scoring big on a drug deal. I imagine it was a shock back in 1969 to see a big studio release open with characters sniffing coke, including the leads of the picture.
This was more than just a road movie; rather, Wyatt and Billy weave in and out of the lives of many different people on this trip, and from this the movie said a lot about such things as the counterculture, hippies, commune living, and “the establishment.” It is not the cheeriest of movies as many discriminate against our leads only because of their appearance and their bikes. It was a fascinating journey as the two don't always agree with each other but they are still quite the pair and at least I hoped for better times as they at least “are free” and not tied down to any specific job, which I know many would be envious of.
This was shot in a style that still seems fresh today and must have been mind-blowing back then; aside from the unique and vibrant editing, much of the dialogue was ad-libbed, most of the drugs you see used in the movie were real drugs, and plenty of the characters on screen were local non-actors who reacted to the leads, sometimes just from how Wyatt & Billy looked and sometimes with certain prodding from director Hopper. Mix in a fiery performance from a young Jack Nicholson and many shots of beautiful scenery matched with rock songs from the likes of Steppenwolf, Jimi Hendrix & The Byrds... no wonder I thought this was my jam.
I understand how some may not like the groove of this, and thought it was boring or pointless. Me, I happen to disagree and even half a century later this is still intriguing and full of important statements about this time period, but this is more than just a snapshot of the era for those that weren't alive to experience it. Fonda and director Dennis Hopper are rebel bikers Wyatt and Billy, riding choppers and heading from Los Angeles to New Orleans to experience Mardi Gras after scoring big on a drug deal. I imagine it was a shock back in 1969 to see a big studio release open with characters sniffing coke, including the leads of the picture.
This was more than just a road movie; rather, Wyatt and Billy weave in and out of the lives of many different people on this trip, and from this the movie said a lot about such things as the counterculture, hippies, commune living, and “the establishment.” It is not the cheeriest of movies as many discriminate against our leads only because of their appearance and their bikes. It was a fascinating journey as the two don't always agree with each other but they are still quite the pair and at least I hoped for better times as they at least “are free” and not tied down to any specific job, which I know many would be envious of.
This was shot in a style that still seems fresh today and must have been mind-blowing back then; aside from the unique and vibrant editing, much of the dialogue was ad-libbed, most of the drugs you see used in the movie were real drugs, and plenty of the characters on screen were local non-actors who reacted to the leads, sometimes just from how Wyatt & Billy looked and sometimes with certain prodding from director Hopper. Mix in a fiery performance from a young Jack Nicholson and many shots of beautiful scenery matched with rock songs from the likes of Steppenwolf, Jimi Hendrix & The Byrds... no wonder I thought this was my jam.
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