Easy Rider (1969)
10/10
A Masterpiece
4 February 2024
Warning: Spoilers
Before I saw this movie, I thought I was going to hate it. I thought it was going to be some cookie-cutter and conservative boot-licking movie with surface-level characters. Suffice it to say, it wasn't.

The two friends (Hopper and Fonda) are amazing at their performances, convincing me that they were two genuine friends who wanted to escape the chaos of a structured life. The showing of the commune is amazing and captures the events and culture of the 60s perfectly; especially when contrasting to Hopper and Fonda's ideologies (though, both groups have many overlapping agreements.) Jack Nicholson has an amazing performance, as well as being his first nomination.

The movie has minimal dialogue, thus allowing the viewer not only their own interpretation, but giving the characters MUCH more depth than forcing personalities onto each character. It makes the experience more authentic and makes the characters infinitely more likeable.

This movie subverted every expectation. It truly captures the idea of being free; riding in the wind, listening to rock music, and, like Hendrix said, letting that "White-Collar Conservative . . . Point their plastic finger at me". The soundtrack is one of my favorites, with classic songs and tunes that help amplify the experience through another medium.

One of my favorite endings ever. It leaves the viewer in pure awe. The movie throws no hints that it's near the end, and in a way, does the opposite and insists that Hopper & Fonda are simply on another road trip, another journey, off to drive with music for the next few hours of the film. But no, it instead captures the brutal reality of southern conservatives, hastily ending the movie in tragedy.

Many who hear of this movie think it is going to be a conservative movie, however, I would argue the exact opposite. This movie shows how being non-conservative is the equivalent of being free. Instead of staying old-fashioned, shooting anyone who's different from you, this movie argues that you should be who you want to be, no matter what. Resist conservatism and break free! Although there are connotations to people who like motorcycles, don't let that bother you when watching this movie. This movie is as against those people as you are. This movie is arguing alongside you, not against you.

In sum, although I have much more to say, it would be unfair to capture this movie through words. After all, the characters didn't need to, and neither do I; this movie is an experience, not just a film. It captures emotions flawlessly and expresses itself so deeply in ways without needing too much detail. Put it simply, this is one of the best movies about being free, being who you are, and simply enjoying life.
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