BY MIKEY MIGO
How have I gone 28 years without seeing Easy Rider? Seriously, folks. As much as I love 1960’s and 1970’s counterculture, road trip movies, old hippie stuff, and just cinema in general I have never sat down with Easy Rider. I’ve seen images of the movie. I know how Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper appear in the movie, but I had no context. I could have sworn I saw at least a part or two of this movie in the past, but after this first viewing I can honestly say I had never seen this movie until this past week. What I saw was in fact one of the best movies I’ve ever seen. I think I always knew it was a road trip movie on motorcycles with an appearance by Jack Nicholson. I mean, I’m not completely shut off to the world. The movie revolves around two dudes on a trip. The opening of the movie lets us know what their up to and why they’re on the road, then “Born to be Wild” kicks in the credits and the rest is a journey. I like these kinds of Odyssey movies a lot. I like the long journey, the scenic shots, the philosophical conversations that seem spontaneous (in this movie, they are!), and just a real DIY independent vibe. I was directed by Dennis Hopper, so you can expect some madness. I read they had an outline, but ad-libbed and let nature take its course in some scenes. The duo first encounters a weird hippie stranger who is hitchhiking to a commune. They travel, share experience, and then get there. Eventually they come across a young southern lawyer with an excess problem played by Jack Nicholson. Is it safe to say this is his coolest “non murderer” role? I think so. It was really weird to see him so young. Jack joins their trip to New Orleans for Mardi Gras. He is awesome in this movie and almost steals the show. They travel, they experience, they enjoy themselves. They end up coming across some rednecks and the partying ends. I’m pretty sure there are those out there who haven’t seen this and I don’t want to be the guy who ruins the way this movie pans out. I know the movie is over 40 years old, but this is a movie about experience that should be experienced. The direction is beautiful. It just looks great and I love the way it’s shot. The editing is so fucking awesome I’m going to openly admit to the fact that it’s going to directly influence me in my own work. Now the two leads. I’m not a big western guy so I don’t have a whole lot of Fonda knowledge. I’ve seen him before and I know he’s a respected actor, but this was my first real chance to watch him in his element. He plays a quiet, handsome, California free spirit type. He doesn’t question anything, he absorbs everything. He’s a little too much too himself, but you can tell he’s a good spirit. Dennis Hopper on the other hand is more of a loose cannon. He thinks with is instincts and not his soul. He’s silly and is smoking a joint through like 85% of this movie, maybe more. Still, as much of a wild card he seems by the end you realize he’s not a bad dude either. I think the Hopper character really comes together at the commune as he flirts with the women and then when he’s sharing time with Jack later on. All in all, I hate myself. I want to go back in time and make myself watch this movie every year 13 and on. I really missed out on one of the best movies of all time here. This movie has tons of hype. It might even be the “Scarface of hippie movies”(that’s what I’ll call it). For years I’ve heard this movie name dropped and spoken of like its part of the pinnacle. Well folks, it is. I don’t think this movie is talked about enough. Of course, A+
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