Five Easy Pieces (1970)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Graham J

  
  Love the Tammy Wynette/Classical music soundtrack. Especially love the scene where Elton's wife is glued to the small staticy tv screen watching Frank Capra's "You Can't Take It With You".

• Reid V

  
  A great road movie about a man who is on a, wait for it, existential journey. This film not only spoke to a generation of filmgoers bewildered by end of the turbulent 60's, but also catapulted Nicholson to the A-List. It is a powerful study on alienation and not for those seeking… More
  A great road movie about a man who is on a, wait for it, existential journey. This film not only spoke to a generation of filmgoers bewildered by end of the turbulent 60's, but also catapulted Nicholson to the A-List. It is a powerful study on alienation and not for those seeking escapist entertainment. While it is most famous for it's diner scene, I think that scene deserves more than just the simple laugh that most people give it. While Nicholson is on a constant search for his place in this world, on the rare occasion that he does know what he wants, his efforts are obstructed by an established order. Even his attempts to rectify the situation are thwarted by those who reinforce the order. A palpable message for the turn of the decade. Unfortunately, the film does take some unnecessary detours, pun intended, and Karen Black has to be one of the most obnoxious on screen presences I have ever witnessed.

• Michael G

  
  Jack Nicholson's performance in Five Easy Pieces is incendiary, plain and simple. It's not a particularly exciting or even a feel good movie but its an honest character study with plenty of great and/or distracting moments. The direction and photography are beautiful and the… More
  Jack Nicholson's performance in Five Easy Pieces is incendiary, plain and simple. It's not a particularly exciting or even a feel good movie but its an honest character study with plenty of great and/or distracting moments. The direction and photography are beautiful and the soundtrack is great. Five Easy Pieces gets better with each viewing and is proof positive that Jack Nicholson could do no wrong in the early 1970s.

• Conner R

  
  Probably one of the greatest examinations of American life. Not only is it a flawlessly done Road Movie, it is also far more deep and multi-facetted than that. It says so much about family, love, work, personality and the goal of the American Dream. I think the greatest aspect is that… More
  Probably one of the greatest examinations of American life. Not only is it a flawlessly done Road Movie, it is also far more deep and multi-facetted than that. It says so much about family, love, work, personality and the goal of the American Dream. I think the greatest aspect is that it hardly follows the average narrative, it's a lot more like actual life. Many of the questions are never answered and many of the characters don't have a final resolve. It also doesn't have a sappy ending, which is incredibly brave for 1970. Jack Nicholson gives probably one of his greatest performances as Robert Dupea, one of the most realistic characters put on screen. He is in many ways a horrible person at first examination. He has very little redeeming qualities, has nearly no compassion or sense of love. However, that's what makes him so great. He's a perfect representation of a real human being. Most of us are more selfish than we like to put on and have issues that are never made obvious to others. When the movie unfolds, you began to realize why he is the way he is and gain somewhat of a respect for him. The film captures the landscape of the country in a way that no other film before or since has replicated or even come close to. The shots of the small towns, local spots and the highway are almost scarily close to the way a human perceives it. They didn't dress up the set or made it look more beautiful than it is, it was the reality of where they were.

• Jim H

  
  There's a lot to like about this film. Nicholson is very good, providing subtle nuances to the morally ambiguous Bobby. This is remarkably well-drawn character in both writing and acting, and his roundness comes from his contradictions - a classically trained pianist working on… More
  There's a lot to like about this film. Nicholson is very good, providing subtle nuances to the morally ambiguous Bobby. This is remarkably well-drawn character in both writing and acting, and his roundness comes from his contradictions - a classically trained pianist working on a oil rig, his despises Rayette but quickly defends her. Karen Black is almost unrecognizable as Rayette; hair dye, an accent, and her exceptional talent work wonders. If the film centers on anything, it is Bobby's trip to see his dying father and resolve the conflict between his relationships with his family and his itinerant tendencies. But this conflict waits at least forty minutes to reveal itself, and in the meantime, we have characters who, in the Rafelson tradition, pass through this film on their way to another one. Their relationship to this character, this conflict, this story seems tangential at best. Also, I can't say I enjoyed the ending. I won't give it away, but I wondered if the past ninety-eight minutes meant anything to anyone involved in the film. At the same time, I understand that Bobby was out of options, and everything had been tried in order to otherwise resolve his conflict. The bottom line is that the ending could leave some viewers wanting more while others may see it as perfectly appropriate. I suppose I was somewhere in the middle. Overall, <i>Five Easy Pieces</i> is Nicholson and Black at their finest, but I think Rafelson is more of an actor's director and not a story-teller.

• AJ V

  
  A brilliant drama with a great cast and an emotional relatable story. I loved this movie and I highly recommend it.

• Stefanie C

  
  This film forces existential analysis because Bobby’s character is so obviously and painfully conflicted. His actions reveal intelligence, along with the requisite anti-heroic characteristics of privilege, superiority and arrogance. Despite his philandering ways, he also reveals a… More
  This film forces existential analysis because Bobby’s character is so obviously and painfully conflicted. His actions reveal intelligence, along with the requisite anti-heroic characteristics of privilege, superiority and arrogance. Despite his philandering ways, he also reveals a moral awareness and complexity, demonstrated by his decision to see his father and taking Rayette along for the trip. These aspects create an expectation for psychological understanding, compelling the viewer to attach motivation or meaning to his actions. Bobby’s romantic relationships are a manifestation of his internal conflict. He knows Rayette is uneducated and her intelligence level is questionable. He treats her abominably, if not abusively, but fundamentally respects her qualities (at least when juxtaposed with the values of his upbringing). His regard is notably revealed in his defense of her character and humanity in the parlor scene. His connection with his brother’s girlfriend is unsurprising because of his womanizing tendencies: The element of interest is that Bobby seemingly desires to pursue a deeper relationship with Catherine. She is Rayette’s opposite, Bobby’s mirror, and a necessary manifestation of his internal conflict: She is never an honest romantic interest. Is his a universal or individual conflict? Is it attributable to privileged socio-economic position or a pervasive post-modern condition? What aches in this film is Bobby’s awareness of the conflict, but the inability to dismiss or resolve it. Various familiar literary characters abound with possible resolutions: Camus’ Mersault attaches no meaning to action; Shakespeare’s Prince Hal ‘slums it,’ in preparation for his greater station; Self-destructive, Bukowskian characters create their own brand of misery and adversity, meanwhile forging a personal mythos and truth. Yet, when things inevitably ‘go bad’ for Bobby, he simply escapes, anything to negate or avoid performing those five easy pieces. The original, scripted ending involved a car crash, proving fatal for Bobby, but not Rayette. This ending forces a predictable and poetic resolution, which was replaced by the camera’s distant observation of the gas station. Instead, Bobby’s departure implies the repetition of his Sisyphean cycle, thereby inflicting a haunting ambiguity, emotional hollowness and pervasive meaninglessness to the film’s conclusion. A bleak and nightmarish American vision!

• jay n

  
  Well acted story of disaffection individually and within a family. While I wouldn't say it was enjoyable it is an admirable effort that makes straight forward observations about its characters without softening them or trying to make them more appealing.

• Dan S

  
  An effective, emotionally ravaging story concerning a drifter who runs away from his problems and picks up every odd job he can find. Nicholson has that magnetic quality that few actors possess so well, and his strong, utterly superb performance drives this film all the way through.… More
  An effective, emotionally ravaging story concerning a drifter who runs away from his problems and picks up every odd job he can find. Nicholson has that magnetic quality that few actors possess so well, and his strong, utterly superb performance drives this film all the way through. Although it does bog down from time to time, director Bob Rafelson displays his mastery of the art of subtlety, using this for most of the film, before nailing his most important scenes with sudden outbursts from his characters that catch you off guard. Nicholson's character is definitely flawed, and he's a time-bomb ready to explode at any moment, but his mysterious character always keeps you glued to your seat, and the end of the film is just perfect beyond words.

• Anthony L

  
  A wonderfully bleak and often depressing portrait of an unlikable man who is constantly tormented by his own failings. Fantastic direction, brilliant performances and some of the best scenes in cinema make this film a classic. Hurrah for unhappy endings, not enough contemporary films… More
  A wonderfully bleak and often depressing portrait of an unlikable man who is constantly tormented by his own failings. Fantastic direction, brilliant performances and some of the best scenes in cinema make this film a classic. Hurrah for unhappy endings, not enough contemporary films have them!

• Ken S

  
  Very influential and superbly crafted.

• Chris W

  
  One of many brilliant works of art from the 70's, both from Nicholson's body of work, and in general. It's an interesting film, but many will be put off by it or bored, and that's a shame because, the right amount of patience and being in a mood for quiet,… More
  One of many brilliant works of art from the 70's, both from Nicholson's body of work, and in general. It's an interesting film, but many will be put off by it or bored, and that's a shame because, the right amount of patience and being in a mood for quiet, introspective character-studies will allow for an excellent viewing experience. Besides a great performance from Nicholson, the supporting cast (including Sally Struthers, Lois Smith, and Karen Black) does a great job as well. The real standouts from this film though are the music and the cinematography. Both are unparalled in their brilliance and ability to set the tone and atmosphere. The brief synopsis of this film (thanks to IMDB) will make this film seem like quite a simple little picture, when in fact, this film is actually quite deep, complex, and truly like nothing else (compared to what's being made today that is).

• Lenny M

  
  I guess this Jack Nicholson's calling card when he began to take over films. He was good and had great lines and did Jack Nicholson bizarre stuff, but I don't like him in this country environment with everyone having Southern Accents making people from the South seem like… More
  I guess this Jack Nicholson's calling card when he began to take over films. He was good and had great lines and did Jack Nicholson bizarre stuff, but I don't like him in this country environment with everyone having Southern Accents making people from the South seem like dumbasses. Jack Nicholson does not need to act in this setting. Good introduction to his work with him as the star.

• Curtis L

  
  Maybe I expected too much from this film, but I found myself very bored not caring about anyone and especially hating the cross eyed girlfriend. The only reason it gets 3 stars and not 2.5 is because of the last minute of the movie.

• Greg S

  
  Nicholson mesmerizes as a musical prodigy who seems to prefer the life of a drifter in this subtle meditation on talent squandered---or on the tragic inability of talent alone to secure happiness. Angry, angsty and most of all literate, it's far more than a memorable… More
  Nicholson mesmerizes as a musical prodigy who seems to prefer the life of a drifter in this subtle meditation on talent squandered---or on the tragic inability of talent alone to secure happiness. Angry, angsty and most of all literate, it's far more than a memorable chicken-salad joke.

• Eric S

  
  A Nicholson classic!

• Tim S

  
  The greatest ending of all time and Nicholson is genius! Raffelson is an unsung hero.

• Jeremy S

  
  One of the best films from the 70's. The Existential dilema, what is my vocation in life, a film about the social divide in America, the lives of the middle Americans and the lives of the intellectuals. With and unbelieveably powerful portryal from Nicholson, this film becomes a… More
  One of the best films from the 70's. The Existential dilema, what is my vocation in life, a film about the social divide in America, the lives of the middle Americans and the lives of the intellectuals. With and unbelieveably powerful portryal from Nicholson, this film becomes a great through it's characters and it's heartbraking intensity. Nicholson is one of the most unforgettable characters in American movies. For nothing else this film is worth seeing for the pleasure of watching Jack Nicholson unable to gat an order of toast.

• Chris B

  
  Five Easy Pieces is the film that made Jack Nicholson a star and promised him a bright career. The film is a character study and one that explored daily life and trying to cope with oneself in this world. Bobby is the central character and the performance Jack Nicholson gives and… More
  Five Easy Pieces is the film that made Jack Nicholson a star and promised him a bright career. The film is a character study and one that explored daily life and trying to cope with oneself in this world. Bobby is the central character and the performance Jack Nicholson gives and the identity he searches for are what make the film such a resonating piece of cinema. Recommended!

• Alec B

  
  A film that seems simplistic on the surface that really is far more complex than many realize. There is such a good definition of character by everyone in this film. Jack Nicholson is fantastic, and keeps his performance subtle, and ultimately completely real. Equally good is Karen… More
  A film that seems simplistic on the surface that really is far more complex than many realize. There is such a good definition of character by everyone in this film. Jack Nicholson is fantastic, and keeps his performance subtle, and ultimately completely real. Equally good is Karen Black who simply breaks your heart. Not so much a story as it is an intimate character study.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings