Five Easy Pieces (1970)

User Rating:

7.5/10   

Director:

Bob Rafelson

Writers:

Carole Eastman (screenplay)
Carole Eastman (story)

Release Date:

12 September 1970 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

He Rode The Fast Lane On The Road To Nowhere.

Plot:

A drop-out from upper-class America picks up work along the way on oil-rigs when his life isn't spent in a squalid succession of bars, motels, and other points of interest.

Plot Keywords:

Pianist | Oil Field | Small Town | Bowling | Diner

Awards:

Nominated for 4 Oscars. Another 16 wins & 6 nominations

Cast

Jack Nicholson	...	Robert Eroica Dupea
Karen Black	...	Rayette Dipesto
Billy Green Bush	...	Elton (as Billy 'Green' Bush)
Fannie Flagg	...	Stoney
Sally Struthers	...	Betty (as Sally Ann Struthers)
Marlena MacGuire	...	Twinky (as Marlena Macguire)
Richard Stahl	...	Recording Engineer
Lois Smith	...	Partita Dupea
Helena Kallianiotes	...	Palm Apodaca
Toni Basil	...	Terry Grouse
Lorna Thayer	...	Waitress
Susan Anspach	...	Catherine Van Oost
Ralph Waite	...	Carl Fidelio Dupea
William Challee	...	Nicholas Dupea
John P. Ryan	...	Spicer (as John Ryan)

Runtime:

98 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Sweden:11 | Italy:VM14 | Australia:M | Finland:K-16 | New Zealand:R16 | USA:R | UK:15 | UK:AA (original rating)

Filming Locations:

19th & L Street, Bakersfield, California, USA

Company:

BBS Productions

Trivia:

Jack Nicholson wanted Lauren Hutton as Catherine.

Goofs:

Continuity: At the bowling alley, a stain or wet spot is visible on the seat of Bobby's jeans, but is gone in the next shot.

Quotes:

Bobby: What are you doing screwing around with all this crap?
Catherine: I do not find your language very charming.
Bobby: It isn't. It's direct.
Catherine: I'd like you to leave so that I can take a bath. Is that direct?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue (2008) (TV)

Soundtrack:

D-I-V-O-R-C-E

A subtle, emotional, and beautiful character study of the 70s

It's hard to believe a film this powerful and well acted could be put aside and forgotten about so easily. It's another powerful and unique film from the decade OF great films.

Five Easy Pieces is simple yet complex film just as unique as any films today. Robert Dupea is a confused ex Concert Pianest from a genius family who lives in a small town as an oil rigger, he spends his nights with his ditsy oblivious girlfriend Rayette(black) chugging beers and taking out his emotions on her.

When his over emotional sister informs him that his father is ill he must visit his old house and confront his old life. He takes the trip with his ditsy girlfriend and along the way picks up two hippies on the side of the road who constantly bicker about MANKIND which leads to the classic diner scene.

When he visits his old house it's a perfect example of how Robert blows things out proportion, his family are actually kind and easy going. Things become complex when Robert becomes involved in the piano teacher of his injured brother, she forces him to take out his emotions and confront his piano talents. But Rayette who was crashing at a hotel returns and gets in the middle.

The obvious conflict is now that Robert must choose beetween is older life as an oil rigger with his ditsy girlfriend, or return to playing piano and get together with Katherine.

5 easy pieces is a emotional, complex, subtle, and brilliant film. I t has some of the most memorable scenes in cinema and I believe it's Nicholsons best performance to date.

Despite the small fuss about this film on here and the low rating Five Easy Pieces remains one of the most emotional and unique film of all time.

10 stars from me.