Well, first of all, I can totally understand someone not liking this
movie. In today's perspective, it might come across as a bit of a weird
and pointless movie, that doesn't even necessarily follow a script. But
you have to put this movie in perspective and really look at it as a
product and reflection of its time.
Back in 1969, this was an incredibly relevant movie. An entire
generation of course grew up during this period, in which people were
in constant search of themselves, true freedom and happiness. They
wanted to break free from the system and live life to the max, by their
own rules and morals. Yes, drugs were also a big part of this
philosophy, as this movie also very clearly shows.
Life was taken as a true journey, which is exactly what the two main
characters out of this movie are doing. They are traveling from Los
Angeles to New Orleans, in search. In search of what? Well, I don't
necessarily believe they knew that themselves but in order to go in
search of something, you don't always have to set a main goal.
Sometimes you just don't know what you are searching- and in need for
and just have to take things as they happen and look at everything with
a free and open mind. I think this movie reflects all of those themes
perfectly.
And like I said before, the movie doesn't really follow a clear main
plot line, just like life basically. Some people might have problems
with this while watching but I in this particular case liked the
approach, since it suited the movie its themes and atmosphere.
And all of the drug use in this movie was obviously all too real, since
otherwise there could have been no way that a movie like this could had
been made, the way it is, in my opinion. It can get a pretty trippy
movie at times, in which the main actors are obvious just improvising
away. But again, also this truly adds to the movie its themes and
overall atmosphere.
It of course also was the movie that launched the careers of many
involved, mainly of course Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper and Jack
Nicholson. And all do a great job with their roles, no matter how crazy
and stoned they got at times, which probably is the secret though as to
why their performances work out so well within this movie.
A great minimalistic and on its surface also simplistic movie, that is
being a great reflection of its time and of an entire generation.
8/10
Watch trailer
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