Sunday 7 October 2012

On The Road


Based on Jack Kerouac's novel, 'On The Road' follows two would-be writers, Sal and Dean, as they criss cross the United States of America in the late 1940s and early 1950s. From the East coast through the Mid West to the West coast and later into the Mexico the pair and assorted friends and strangers live their lives filled with booze, benzedrine and sex. Nothing is too outlandish for them whether it be petty thieving for the necessities, sex for services or sponging off anyone and everyone.

They lead a lifestyle constantly on the move searching for something elusive and unsuccessfully seeking escape from reality. Sal, notebook at hand, records it all in longhand as he grapples to produce his signature novel.

This atmospheric film presents a lifestyle both shocking and thrillingly adventurous. A host of eccentric characters come and go, most never to be seen again after their five minutes or so of exposure. Some of the images are stylish and striking.

An interesting film with a terrific soundtrack of jazz, blues and what I imagine might be classed as redneck music but for me the whole thing was about half an hour too long.


★★★

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