Review of Two-Lane Blacktop (1971) by Roberto R — 12 Feb 2008

Cult classic road movie from the the 70s (aren't they all). The two leads mumble their way through their sparse dialogue. Their friendship is through a car, a 1955 Chevy and an reliance on each to keep it going by the Mechanic (Dennis Wilson) and in working order for it to win drag races by John Taylor as the Driver.

These two drifters are like hustlers or modern cowboys, there is a lot macho antagonisms between the drivers. The Driver seems to like to engaging people he knows he can beat, by being quite antagonistic. The underlining hippie principles of the film keep it grounded and dated. The character of the young women (Laurie Bird), who 'hitchhikes' her way (and into their lives) by just getting in the back of their car.

They meet the muscle car driver "GTO" (Warren Oates) who kind of carries the film along with his picking up of a different types hitchhikers on the road and the tales he tells them about his life from his short interaction his them. He comes as across as a very lost character within the film, unlike the other three. He really has no idea of where he is going. The others are going no where, but they know are, but still have to move. His aggression and paranoia makes him unlikable, but its the arrogance and obtuse nature of the Driver, The Mechanic and The Girl that for me makes them just as 'alien' to me. But I believe this isn't the one of the frameworks of the plot, that you like the characters, you just follow them on their existentialist journey.

The two leads are singer-songwriter James Taylor & Dennis Wilson, the late drummer of The Beach Boys. Warren Oates is once again, always great to see in a film. Also, there a bit part for Harry Dean Stanton as amorous hitchhiker. The music featured in the film is heard from when it is appropriate to a scene, when the girl plays the tapes in the car driven by GTO or at one of the races, where car stereos are playing music (notably The Doors "moonlight drive").

A cool movie.