Review of Two-Lane Blacktop (1971) by Elliot G — 04 Sep 2008

These 70s road flicks (Easy Rider included) seem to be as casually profound as any self-conscious piece of pretension, and maybe that's why; neither 'Vanishing Point' nor 'Two-Lane Blacktop' really have an agenda, and their philosophy and ideals are primarily incidental.

I was expecting more road action, but was instead treated to a laid-back examination of American existence in the late 60s, including generational conflict, the subsequent dissolution of the traditional family, youth versus establishment, all of it.

Warren Oates is absolutely terrific in this film, playing into an almost Chayefskian portrait of impotence. Hellman's direction really shines through in the final twenty minutes, but that final moment is probably one of the single greatest endings ever.

Ever. It probably won't work in another film. We've gone too far, for better or worse.