Starring: Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper, Jack Nicholson
Overall Rating: 78.2
"Easy Rider" takes the drug fueled anti-culture of the late 60's/early 70's and transcribes it into a visual road trip across the scenic countryside. With the reputation of a "drug movie", it's worth remembering that "Easy Rider" also stands up as a quality film, filled with great actors.
The film follows two men named Wyatt (Fonda) and Billy (Hopper) who sell a stash of drugs to travel from Los Angeles to New Orleans to go to Mardi Gras, experiencing America across the way. During their travels, the two encounter a wide range of people looking to live their own lives. There's the rancher struggling to grow crops to provide for his family, the outcast village of hippies looking to create their own community by living off the land, and plenty of bigoted rednecks un-accepting of the long-haired, free spirited duo.
The two men are played very differently by the two esteemed actors. Fonda chooses to play Wyatt as the thoughtful, enlightened type, where as Hopper plays Billy as the hyper, wild-child hippie. Each manages to have their own moments on screen.
The most recognized performance, however, comes from Jack Nicholson playing George, an alcoholic lawyer who decides to accompany Wyatt and Billy on their trip to Mardis Gras. Nicholson earned his first Oscar nomination for his role, and it was well deserved. As a seemingly well-off lawyer in a small town, George more than likely feels like he's a rebel with his alcoholism, until he runs into the main characters in jail. Sensing a chance for freedom outside his small town, George tags along trying to get more experiences, but also provides context on life for Wyatt and friendship for Billy.
As so many art-house films of this era, "Easy Rider" focuses a lot on the audio and visual aspect of the film. A large portion of the film is spent following the men on their motorcycles across the country, giving plenty of great scenic views. As director, Hopper also manages to include plenty of classic songs to accompany the riding shots.
While it's definitely not a casual movie to turn on when you're looking for some excitement, the overall message and tones of "Easy Rider" should definitely be experienced at least once. Even if you're against the hippie, counterculture lifestyle, there are still excellent images to be had and great performances to be watched.
Individual Ratings
Enjoyment Factor: 7
Dialogue: 8
Acting: 9
Direction: 7
Audio/Visual: 7
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