Review of Two-Lane Blacktop (1971) by Jj M — 26 Jun 2011
Something deep permeates this road movie, but what that is, I'm not so sure. It's a movie born out of the disillusionment that went with the end of the hippie counter-culture movement of the 60s, but unlike Easy Rider, Gimmie Shelter etc.
, it's much more existential and distanced. There's little dialogue, a lack of any true excitement, no great production feats and performances that don't turn out to be anything that special.
It is, however, deliberately slow-paced so as to contrast with the speed-driven, car-crazy story that you would be led to believe it is. The plot centres more around the triangle relationship of the two young nonchalant hipsters, the middle-aged crisis-point G.
T.O. and the dangerously-young girl, who knows no better. And the solution doesn't offer itself in any presentable manner...just as it would if you happened to be in these characters souless shoes at that time in America.
It's an enigmatic feature that will plug away in your thoughts for a long time afterwards and a timeless classic at that.
This review of Two-Lane Blacktop (1971) was written by Jj M on 26 Jun 2011.
Two-Lane Blacktop has generally received very positive reviews.
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