Review of On the Road (2012) by Gina B — 15 Dec 2012

Pointless, because this road doesn't go anywhere. This is about a struggling writer (Sam Riley), who is looking to gain some inspiration by traveling around the country and partying with friends, and it focuses on the relationship between him and his vice-loving buddy (Garrett Hedlund).

This is based on a highly regarded Jack Kerouac novel that I have not read, and upon watching this, I plan on actively avoiding it. Very little in terms of actual plot happens, and it just meanders from scene to scene.

As far as character growth or development, you can forget about that as well; every character is just the same as when the film started, especially the main character, who is a blank slate of personality.

Compounded on that, the runtime on this is 139 minutes, and watching nothing happen for that extended amount of time is downright torturous. Once the thirty-minute mark hit and it became evident that this wasn't going to pick up, the sensation I experienced was similar to slipping into a coma.

This movie is like going to a string of parties full of strangers getting drunk, high, and participating in debauchery, but being that you don't know or like anybody there, you are incapable of getting in on the fun.

I had a miserable time watching this, but I don't blame the actors affiliated with this, I blame the material itself. Avoid unless you are looking for something that will put you to sleep.