Review of Five Easy Pieces (1970) by J J — 27 May 2011

A depthful, complex character study in which Jack Nicholson stars as a former child prodigy, now in his thirties and disillusioned with life, who spends his time working oddball jobs and hanging around in bars. That is until a family tragedy forces him to go back home and face his rich, upper-class family.

First rate performances from Jack Nicholson and Karen Black, the rest of the cast is also good. Not a film with any sort of "wow" factor and nothing that interesting happens but the compelling, naturalistic characters and great performances made this a thoroughly engrossing experience.