Review of Five Easy Pieces (1970) by Buddy K — 22 Jan 2011
Jack Nicholson's first real standout role, one which began his delightful career of intense, sometimes unstable neurosis. Playing the temperamental, ineffably frustrated artist-type, Nicholson dominates every scene he's in; he is helped along by a surprisingly nuanced performance from Karen Black (who often plays one-note characters as in Hitchcock's "Family Plot").
It's certainly a lot "artsier" and more aimless than a lot of his other work (reminiscent of French New Wave, but much better) and there is definitely not a lot of happiness to be found in this movie.
His frustration at his aimlessness and his unrealized talent frustrate us all the way to the end of this short, almost documentary style presentation of the material. The direction is noticeably honest and unglamorized, attempting to show America just as it is; no more, no less.
This movie is a nice remedy to those forced to endure pseudo-philosophic French New Wave. At least this movie allows us to form our own conclusions.
This review of Five Easy Pieces (1970) was written by Buddy K on 22 Jan 2011.
Five Easy Pieces has generally received very positive reviews.
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