Review of Five Easy Pieces (1970) by Stuart K — 24 Apr 2012
After making the Monkees film Head (1968), director Bob Rafelson reunited with Jack Nicholson, who was then red hot from making Easy Rider (1969) for this slow-moving but often explosive drama which explores the angst of being in your mid-30's in a dead end job after you've squandered your best talent.
It's a powerful performance indeed with a good cast and tight direction. Robert Eroica Dupea (Nicholson) works in an oil field in rural California, but he came from a family of classical musicians, and Robert was a brilliant child prodigy when it came to playing the piano.
But, he threw it all away for a life of drinking, gambling and spending time with his friend Elton (Billy 'Green' Bush). Robert lives with his girlfriend, Rayette (Karen Black), a waitress who isn't very bright.
When Robert gets news from his sister Partita (Lois Smith), a renowned composer living in Los Angeles, that their father (William Challee) has suffered a stroke, Robert and Rayette head off for Puget Sound in Washington, there Robert tries to reconnect with his estranged, musical family.
It's a dark and moving look at the butt end of 60's America, and the disillusionment that many felt, and the fact that the 70's would be no better. Nicholson is brilliant as Robert, full of angst, pissed off with the world and wanting to disappear all together.
It was this and Easy Rider that made him famous, well and truly.
This review of Five Easy Pieces (1970) was written by Stuart K on 24 Apr 2012.
Five Easy Pieces has generally received very positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
