Review of Five Easy Pieces (1970) by Douglas M — 21 Jun 2015

There's a lot being said news today concerning the upper strata of our society colloquially known by in the media as the '1%'. The American Dream has always been that anyone, no matter how lonely born, hard work and ingenuity can pull themselves up to that elite status. This actually nothing new about this, the grass is always greener on the other side especially when you're too poor to have a lawn. There are also stories concerning those who gag on their silver spoon. These individuals rebel against inherited fame and fortune eschewing it for experiencing life on their own terms. In 1970 a phone was released that provided a uniquely fascinating perspective on such an individual; 'Five Easy Pieces'. The film is concerned with a man born with an exceptional musical talent who would rather use his nimble fingers under Reagan oilfield than on stage with a grand piano. The screenplay was written by Carole Eastman under the nom de plume of Adrien Joyce) and Bob Rafelson. Mr. Rafelson is credited as one of the founders of the New Hollywood movement of that decade. Although still working within the confines of the studio system, Rafelson and others like him were successful in introducing subject matter and portrayals of characters previously only seen in independent films, effectively reinvigorating American cinema. This eclectic writer/director/producer was significantly involved in an exceptionally unorthodox movie, 'Head'. This film was an experimental musical comedy co-written by Jack the question and featuring televisions 'Prefab Four', 'The Monkeys'. Mr. Rafelson took the helm of the film under consideration here as its director and producer. It was nominated for several Academy Awards including Best picture which lost to 'Patton'. Although lost the overworked during awards season in 2000 and was selected for preservation in the Library of Congress with addition to the National Film Registry. His latest honorific is demonstrated in this new high-definition release as part of the well lauded Criterion Collection.

Bobby Dupea (Jack Nicholson) works on an oil rig in California, a physically demanding vocation. It is not as if Bobby was born into this trait over is not prepared any alternatives. He was born into a family of very well-known and eccentric musicians. He was a prodigy at the piano and his childhood was devoted towards making him a concert pianist. Bobby's intrinsic nature was contrary to a life on stage performing for adoring crowds of sophisticated men and women. Bobby preferred a life of working hard playing even harder. His chosen exile from society is going well until Bobby learns that his father is dying. This prompted road trip Southern California up to Washington State to confront his father one last time. The necessity of this journey shakes Bobby out of his normal routine of drinking beer and bowling with his friend, Elton (Billy Bush). Elton has a wife and infant son which appears to have a marginal impact on his pursuit of happiness. Bobby's girlfriend Rayette Dipesto (Karen Black) is a scatterbrained waitress with aspirations of becoming a famous country music singer.

The usual plot points necessary for any drama concerning red necks dutifully met; Elton is arrested for a call to the year before and Rayette is pregnant. Bobby quits his job and plans to visit Los Angeles to meet up with his sister Partita (Lois Smith); also a concert pianist was making a recording. His assistant informed them that their father is dying. Along the way they pick up pair women, Palm Apodaca (Helena Kallianiotes) and Terry Grouse (Toni Basil), hitchhiking after their car was wrecked an accident. In one scene the quartet stopped Betty diner for some food. Bobby is very polite to the waitress (Lorna Thayer), as he orders an omelet with tomatoes and a side order of wheat toast. When the waitress informs him that there are no substitutions, no side orders of toast and you must order only worked on the menu, Bobby goes into one of the most elaborate orders ever given in a diner in one of the most iconic scenes Jeff Dickerson has ever performed.

When they finally get to the destination Bobby becomes acutely aware that Rayette lacks the social graces to fit in with his family. He registers her in a motel before heading to his family home. He walks in on his sister giving their father, Nicholas (William Challee) a haircut. The old man is oblivious to what's going on after suffering two strokes in the past. Bobby has been estranged from his father for many years which prompted his way into blue-collar work. At dinner they are joined by his brother Carl (Ralph Waite), a violinist, and his fiancée, Catherine Van Oost (Susan Anspach), yet another pianist. Bobby was never much for monogamy having cheated on Rayette numerous times back in California. Bobby, or Robert as Catherine refers to him, find themselves mutually attracted to each other and wind up having sex in her room. When Rayette runs out of money at the motel she comes to Dupea family home. The unexpected appearance is not well received especially from a by a haughty family friend, Samia Glavia (Irene Dailey).

This is one of the most interesting character studies ever committed to film. Although there are many fine performances contained within this movie is extensively of one man show dominated by Jack Nicholson's perfectly textured presentation of his character. Bobby is a man who hates himself. He tries to mask his self-loathing laughing it off but it remains seething just below the surface. The incident at the diner is an ideal demonstration of this duality within his personality. Bobby starts off very polite expecting the raters will take his order and bring him the food that he wants. When rebuffed it doesn't take long for that façade to erode with Bobby's well calculated alternative order culminating in his sweeping his arm for the table settings crashing to the floor. It seems that he chose the physically demanding job as an oil rig worker as a means to channel the potentially violent self-hatred he has to constantly keep in check. His disdain for himself prevents them from having any meaningful relationships. He reacts lackadaisical he and his best friend, Elton, are hauled off by the police Bobby is callously insensitive upon learning that his girlfriend is pregnant. A Blu-ray rendition of this as part of the Criterion Collection is long overdue. Their commitment to presenting a movie as closely as possible to its original theatrical release is a must especially for movies such as this. This also means that home theater enthusiast used to technical specifications that will push the limits of their home systems might be disappointed. The video is an artifact frees Widescreen 1.85:1 transfer. The color palette and contrast matching what you would have seen its original theatrical run. The audio track is the original Dolby mono. One thing I found to be very interesting is to activate one of my home theater receivers preloaded venue emulators. Most receivers offer a variety of audio styles ranging from large theaters to intimate clogs. Mine happens to have one meant for these older mono soundtracks providing a reverb similar to a movie theater of the era. The Criterion Collection remains true to film preservation. One of my pet peeves is cinephiles that demand in the original aspect ratio as set by the filmmaker. While I agree with this I can understand why they also are so willing to have the audio remastered just their entire speaker array can be utilized. As always a Criterion release remains true to both the audio and video including the cleanest remastering of both you are likely to ever find. Jeff Dickerson is undoubtedly one of the great actors L country has ever produced. He is an instance where a character actor and soul and body the personality and physical traits of his character that his talent had to propel him to the status of leading man. Nicholson is known for going over the top of his performances this is a case with the shows he has the control over his expression that enables him to channel it into an incredible performance here.