Easy Rider 1969

     Two bikers head from LA to New Orleans through the open country and desert lands.  Along the way they meet a man who bridges a counter-culture gap.  They were not aware of this event.  Riding motorcycles ("chopper"-style) emblazoned with insignias that announce their "freedom" and wearing the in-your-face attire of the 1960s hippie culture, Wyatt, aka Captain America and Billy set off to cross the U.S.A.  They are taking the southern route and financing their odyssey with money they received from a cocaine deal.  

     At this time they feel rich and invulnerable.  The two men encounter both friends and foes along the way.  There is a Mexican family trying to make a home in the desert, a budding commune filled with idealistic counterculture youth and mean good ol' boys.  They brutally represent the bigotry of the southern states.  There is also a slick and funny alcoholic lawyer named George.  This is an astonishing, Oscar-nominated performance by Jack Nicolson.  

     Marijuana and alcohol fuel their journey along with the gasoline that fills their tanks.  After one gigantic misstep resulting in a tragedy, they reach New Orleans at Mardi Gras time.  Accompanied by two women from an infamous brothel they live out their grandest fantasies.  But, is this country ready for such unapologetic and obvious radical behavior?  In the words of one of the characters, people may talk about individual freedom.  If they actually see a free individual, it makes them scared and it makes them dangerous. These words prove to be very prophetic.

     The release of Easy Rider in 1969 marked a significant change in American filmmaking.  Never before had a low-budget, offbeat movie made such an impact on young audiences.  There is reflection on a chaotic time in a country that was deeply divided in its values.  Frank treatment of alternative lifestyles, sexual freedom, drug and alcohol use.  Pervasive marijuana smoking, consumption of cocaine, hallucinogens, heavy drinking and drunkenness strike a deep nerve.  The film and its music are still considered classic and unequaled.  Mild, infrequent swearing is included.  Sexuality and some nudity but no intercourse are seen in both idyllic settings and in a frenzied acid trip.  The few violent scenes are extreme, shocking and bloody.  Important characters are killed by gunfire and a brutal beating.  5 1/2* (I really liked this movie)  

95 min, Adventure directed and written by Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda also written by Terry Southern with Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper, Antonio Mendoza, Phil Spector, Mac Mashourian, Warren Finnrty, Tita Colorado, Luke Askew, Luana Anders, Sabrina Scharf, Sandy Brown Wyeth, Robert Walker Jr.

Note:  Imdb 7.3* out of 10* with 101,564 reviews, Rotten Tomatoes 83% with 53 critic reviews 82% with 50,000+ audience scores, Roger Ebert 4*, Metacritic 85 out of 100 with 18 critic reviews 7.6 out of 10 with 84 user scores, Common Sense Media Renee Schonfeld, 4* out of 5*, age 17+, 1* consumerism, 2* positive messages, role models, language, 4* violence, sex, 5* drinking, drugs & smoking.