Review of Big Sur (2013) by Alfie S — 24 Dec 2013

Polish's adaption of Big Sur has its flaws. certainly, but overall captures some of the major elements of Kerouac's novel. The choice to substitute actual names in place of Kerouac's system of pseudonyms is a small example of Polish's biographical focus, all the time spent staring at the City Lights Bookstore sign is a rather blunt reminder of that.

The film relies on Kerouac the narrator a bit too often making it hard for when 'stuff happens', the absence of which annoying some resident critics, to really feel connected to the plot. Furthermore, the narration is rushed frequently where the words should of had time to breath, even if that meant extending the 100 minute run time by another five.

Apart from these flaws, the film does grasp the steady psychological decline, showing that it wasn't simply alcohol induced trauma but also an existential crisis developed partly from Kerouac's changing persona, young-free poet to serious and influential author.

Overall, the film does overcome the Kerouac trap, but still falls short of being that adaption of a K. Novel that we are all waiting for.