Review of Five Easy Pieces (1970) by Harpreet S — 14 Sep 2010

Five Easy Pieces was a realistic movie about life's problems and the people that live with these problems. Jack Nicholson plays Robert Dupea, an average, everyday joe who drifts from job to job and makes very little effort toward his relationship with his girlfriend Rayette (Karen Black). When we first see Robert, he is working in an oil field with his friend Elton (Billy Green Bush). Elton tells Robert that he should settle down, get married to Rayette and have a few kids. Robert doesn't approve of this advice, he is primarily scared of commitment. Later on in the film, Robert receives news from his sister that their father isn't well and he might not have too much longer to live. Robert decides to take a trip out of town with Rayette to go visit his dying old man at his parents upper class estate home. He leaves Rayette at a hotel and tells her that he will call her once he figures things out. Once their he becomes infatuated with Catherine, a music student living at the estate. He quickly develops an affair with her.

-Basically the movie is an attempt to show the true nature of man and his sometimes unnerving and random ways. Jack Nicholson actually does a great job of portraying an average working man who doesn't exactly know what he wants out of life. His relationship with his father is difficult as well as any of his other relationships. The movie focuses on the raw, hardships of being human. It actually was a very memorable movie because of the realism and the acting. Nicholson and Black do fantastic jobs acting out their roles. It is one of those films that is all about the acting which happens to carry the entire movie. No special effects, just pure, original acting. Probably one of Nicholson's great roles outside of his character acting. The title of the movie still eludes me, I am not exactly sure why it is called that. If you are looking for some good 70's movies with some good acting, definitely check it out. Warning, it is a bit slow and melodramatic but it doesn't fail to deliver emotion and genuine acting which we can all relate too. I am not exactly sure that I liked the ending. I guess it further highlights Roberts rambunctious lifesyle. 4.0 starz.