On The Road is a film based on the autobiographical novel of the same name by Jack Kerouac. It follows Sal on his travels back and fourth across the US with various traveling companions and friends. The film captures some of the spontaneous energy of the book but falls short of eliciting any empathy, concern or care for the main characters. Something surely is lost in translation from page to screen. Watching actors act out things described in Kerouac's book turn the characters from engaging rebels to petulant narcissists. Case in point, Kristen Stewart as Marylou giving simultaneous handjobs to Sal and Dean while driving down the highway.
Overall casting was serviceable but uninspired. Kristen Stewart provides the least wooden portrayal of her career. Sam Riley as Sal and Garret Hedlund both left something to be desired from their performance, although their voices captured the cadence and timber of the book or what I imagine those characters to sound like. Viggo Mortensen and Amy Adams provided two bright spots however brief.
Intriguing but ultimately unfulfilling.
Rent It.
No comments:
Post a Comment