Review of Easy Rider (1969) by Mike H — 17 Nov 2009

In spite of the context, the movie remains bad. It IS interesting that people made an ode to hippie sympathies, that it remains a time capsule of those sympathies, and that it helped unleash independent filmmaking. What it failed to do while succeeding in those ways was develop a character that was at all relatable or develop a plot that consumed more than three pages. The lack of plot is not an automatic deal-breaker; a film can still be captivating without one (Dog Star Man) or absolutely stunning with an instable one (Eraserhead). But there has to be something about it that is unmatched in originality or that relays something sympathetic. Even if the heroes are anti-heroes. Even if their message is "We're here to sell some drugs and fuck your teenaged children," you can still make a point about them AS LONG AS IT'S NOT "We're here to sell some drugs and fuck your teenaged children. Don't tread on me, what did I ever do to you?".

To-do list while making a movie about worthless human beings:

(1) If they are your heroes, give them some characteristics that aren't worthless.

(2) If you're going to make an homage to the American countryside, write a scene that takes place, you know, in the American countryside; don't use five minutes of countryside B-roll as filler between each scene.

(3) If you cast Jack Nicholson and you blow at storytelling, just put him in front of the camera the whole time. Really. Just turn the camera on and say, "Go." He doesn't need lines. He's Jack Nicholson. And don't kill him off ten minutes after brining him in. God damn it.