On the Road film review

Movie Review 3

On the Road

Inspired by poetry, jazz, drugs, and experimental sex, the beat generation took place in the middle of the 20th century. The film On the Road, directed by Walter Salles, follows two characters who travel across country craving this type of lifestyle and adventure. The film is an adaptation of Jack Kerouac’s semi autobiographical novel, in which he tell his story through one of the lead characters. Salle is a brazilian filmmaker with international prominence. This film follows the same style as his previous film The Motorcycle Diaries released in 2004. 

In  On the Road, Dean Moriarty (Garrett Hedlund), is the life of the party with his recklessness and constant drinking. He is the guy everyone envies but does not have a high regard for. Everyone he meets has an indescribable obsession with him and is drawn to his carefree lifestyle. Depressed and without inspiration to write, Sal Paradise (Sam Riley) is a kind, light hearted and innocent struggling writer. He meets Dean and uses him as inspiration.  Sal chooses to follow some of the same paths as Dean but take a few detours to experience things on his own. He was brought up in a more conventional household and continues to keep in touch with his mother as he ventures off in search of his identity.

Throughout the movie Dean has constant relationships and one night stands with various women and men. Marylou (Kristen Stewart), is a naive sixteen year old girl willing to do anything for Dean. In the beginning of the film Dean and Marylou are married and he brings her along on many of his trips. During a time when sexuality was common to be explored, she shows interests towards Sal, and the possibility of a relationship between them is foreshadowed. Soon Dean strikes interest in a more conservative ladylike woman Camille (Kirsten Dunst.) Dean divorces Marylou and marries Camille to start a family with her. He is not satisfied with staying in one place for long and ends up leaving for a while to travel with Marylou and Sal. When he arrives home, Camille kicks him out and he continues to struggle on his own. 

Sal does not have as many opportunities to be with women as Dean, but when he does, he is more respectful and serious. On one of his detours he ends up in California working in a cotton field. He has a brief romance with a mexican woman (Alice Braga), while there, and leaves to continue his journeys. Once Marylou realizes Dean is not going to get back with her, she shares a night of passion with Sal. Sal has had multiple opportunities to be with Marylou before, but he did not want to disrespect Dean. His previous actions towards Marylou showed his longing to be with her. 

There are multiple subplots throughout the film to keep the movie flowing. The cinematography used in a New Year’s Eve party setting with Dean and Marylou passionately and loosely dancing with one another captivate the entire party and decade. The colors used in this scene grab the audiences attention and show the true love between the two characters. One of Dean and Sal’s fellow buddies who accompanies them on a trip ends up dropping his newly wedded wife off at an eccentric couples home. Galatea (Elisabeth Moss), is mortified by this gesture and constantly tries to contact her husband to bring her home. Once they go fetch Galatea they end up spending time at the house. They experience a carefree family environment that is eye opening for them. This describes the setting and design of the house. The style of filming used in Sal and Deans last trip together to Mexico is psychedelic and fixating. I felt as if I was immersed in the action with them, especially when one of them almost overdoses.

  Sal goes on to do great things in New York. While on his way to a theatre premiere with what looks to be a new love interest he runs into Dean, who was searching for him. Dean looks lost, drained, and helpless. Unable to help him, Sal is suddenly inspired by what seems to be his last run in with Dean. He heads home, sits at his typewriter and feverishly begins typing, producing the novel On the Road.

There is a slight sadness throughout this film that could ultimately leave the audience distraught, but I believe it is a journey one should see for themselves. The constant challenges and struggling the characters endure are relatable in some ways. The narration by Riley’s character Sal is rather inspiring and hopeful. He has a good head on his shoulders and subconsciously knows he will make something of himself. This film left me with eagerness to seek out my own adventures.

Writers- Jack Kerouac, Jose Rivera

Director- Walter Salles

Producers- Patrick Batteux

Main Cast- Garrett Hedlund, Sam Riley, Kristen Stewart

Running Time- 137 minutes