Review of Two-Lane Blacktop (1971) by Peter F — 09 Jan 2016

Of the plethora of road movies to emerge from the dawn of new Hollywood (including Easy Rider and Vanishing Point), Two-Lane Blacktop was certainly the most abstract. Monte Hellman's film captured a side of Americana rarely seen before in film, particularly as it concentrates on the now-exinct Route 66.

A send-off to the 60s also, as the film starred musicians Dennis Wilson and James Taylor in their only lead acting roles, and while their performances may have required them to be stoic, their presence communicates the emergence of 70s grit.

It's a minimalist film in both story and design, as the movie declines even giving names to its characters, but at its best it's a haunting experience, and also ends on a note that seems taking from Ingmar Bergman.

A very deserving cult-classic.