Bobby
Dupea comes from a musical family and he has talent as a pianist. Instead of pursuing this life, he’s working in the oil
fields of California. Bobby’s friend
Elton got him the job, Elton is married to Stoney and they have a young son. Rayette is Bobby’s girlfriend, they live
together and she works as a waitress.
Bobby contacts his sister Tita and he learns his father is very
ill. He decides to head to the
family home in Puget Sound off the coast of Washington (State) and he reluctantly
invites Rayette to travel with him.
When they arrive, Bobby leaves Rayette at a local motel so he can check out the family situation
before she comes to meet them.
Rayette runs out of money at the motel, she takes a cab to see Bobby and
to meet the family. Bobby gets fed up
with his family and also Rayette.
They leave and drive away.
Bobby
can’t decide where he belongs. Blue-collar
life including bars, bowling alleys, motels, mobile homes or the more rarefied life of a classical concert pianist.
He feels he doesn’t want to be tied down with heavy responsibilities in
either life. Nicholson started
acting in 1958 but didn’t get his big break until the film Easy Rider released
in 1969. This film still seems
relevant for today and I liked the story.
I also liked the cars, clothing and hair of this period. 3 ½* (I liked this movie)
98
min, Drama directed by Bob Rafelson with Jack Nicholson, Karen Black, Billy
Green Bush, Fannie Flagg, Sally Struthers, Marlena MacGuire, Lois Smith, Helena
Kallianiotes, Toni Basil, Susan Anspach, Ralph Waite, William Challee.
Note: Imdb 7.5 out of 10, 86% critic 85%
audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Roger Ebert 4*.
Special
Note: The title refers to a book
of piano exercises practiced by Bobby as a child. This film was nominated for several Academy Awards. Best Picture, Actor, Supporting
Actress, Screenplay, Drama. Golden
Globe nominations were for Best Picture, Actor, Director Supporting Actress,
Screenplay. Karen Black won a
Golden Globe for Best Supporting.
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