Easy Rider

Easy Rider (1969) is an iconic countercultural movie that explores the social landscape and values of the United States during the late 1960s. It intertwines themes of freedom, free spirit, and the pursuit of an authentic American dream, often in contrast with the then mainstream society. The film is directed by Dennis Hopper and stars Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper, and Jack Nicholson, all rendering unforgettable performances.

Easy Rider revolves around two bikers, Wyatt (Peter Fonda) and Billy (Dennis Hopper), who have managed to earn a good amount of money in a drug deal in Southern California. They decide to travel cross-country on their motorcycles, aiming to reach New Orleans in time for Mardi Gras, a decision that sets the stage for a series of unexpected adventures and encounters that form the crux of the plot. The traveling is articulated in a very real and authentic manner that many could relate to even during its release, striking a chord with the audiences.

The relationship between Wyatt and Billy, two free-spirited hippies, is fascinating to watch as they operate outside of what is considered societal norms, embodying the counterculture of the time. Intriguingly, their characters have drawn inspiration from the American West's traditional portrayal, with Wyatt referencing the famous Wyatt Earp and Billy taking cues from the archetype of an outlaw biker.

The film includes a memorable performance from Jack Nicholson, who plays the role of ACLU lawyer George Hanson. Hanson joins Wyatt and Billy on their journey after they help him out in a small town jail. Nicholson's performance, which earned him an Academy Award nomination, injectively brought another perspective on the era's prevailing culture war into the narrative.

One of the most striking aspects of Easy Rider is the exemplary cinematography, which offers impressive shots of these men riding their gleaming bikes across the expansive American landscapes, further cemented by wildly popular rock and folk-rock music tracks. This unique approach of presenting the changing American countryside alongside an unconventional non-linear narrative style makes Easy Rider a truly original and influential piece of filmmaking. It was instrumental in ushering in the New Hollywood era of movies, characterized by more experimental, creative, and daring approaches to storytelling.

However, it is not just a road trip movie. Easy Rider is a thought-provoking film that investigates societal standards, attitudes towards freedom, and the inkling of hope in the face of adversity that defines the quintessential American dream. It delves into deep conversation of existentialism, symbolic of the soul-searching rapidly growing in America at the time.

The film showcases the tension between the counterculture movement, largely influenced by the hippie ethos, and the more traditional, conservative societal values in an almost hostile environment. This is dramatized through recurring displays of raw hostility that the two bikers face on their journey, indicating a misunderstood image of their free-spirited, unconventional lifestyle.

Moreover, there is nothing subtle about the film's take on the "Establishment". Easy Rider serves as a stark, unapologetic critique of American materialism and societal norms, drawing a clear line between the old and the new, the conventional, and the unconventional.

Overall, Easy Rider is a landmark in American cinema, widely acknowledged as capturing the zeitgeist of a period marked by civil rights movements, anti-war protests, reproductive rights, and counterculture. Its groundbreaking visuals, daring narrative, and iconic characters, along with the unforgettable performances by Fonda, Hopper, and Nicholson, together make it a movie that is as relevant today as it was over fifty years ago.