Ok so let me start by saying I haven't read Jack Kerouac's 'On the Road', hell I didn't even know it was a book until the credits rolled. On top of that I didn't even watch a trailer for this movie so I was a total blank slate going in. Maybe I would have felt differently if I had read it, but to late now.
'On the Road' is the story of Dean Moriarty (Garrett Hedlund) as told from the eyes of his friend Sal Paradise (Sam Riley). After meeting Dean and his young wife Marylou (Kristen Stewart) Sal finds himself sucked in to the charm and free spirited nature of Dean. This leads our trio on a series of road trips around the U.S. in the late 40's where they encounter a mix of people who each impact their journey.
What I found a bit weird about this film was the fact nothing really happened... They drove, drank, smoked, got naked, did drugs and screwed each other but nothing ever really came of it. I kept waiting for a storyline to appear but alas it never happened, closest thing I could think of was Dean looking for his father which took up a total of ten minutes. I could be overlooking the fact that this movie is simply about the journey, but I don't know I feel it needed something more to it. One thing that I really did love was the locations we find ourselves in watching this movie. Director Walter Salles really has a great eye for landscape. Some of the shots were just beautiful, whether is was a setting sun or a car driving along a snowy road Sallas really made the most of it.
Sam Riley plays his part pretty well. A quite obsever watching Dean with curiosity and an understated intensity, which at times makes him feel a little too distant. Kristen Stewart is the same as always, she didn't really have much to do with Marylou so i guess she thought she didn't have to do anything. Which is a shame because I think there was a great opportunity for giving the character something... more. Garrett Hedlund as Dean is maybe the best I have seen from Hedlund on screen, but I think there could have also been a bit more with Dean. Being the bright charismatic sun that he is meant to be I never felt it. Not that he was without charm but just because someone has a nice smile and a way with the ladies wouldn't make you jump into a car with him for months on end.
I don't think this movie is for everyone, being that nothing really happens I wouldn't be surprised if many found it fairly dull. Still though there is a certain charm to it, just not much,
'On the Road' is the story of Dean Moriarty (Garrett Hedlund) as told from the eyes of his friend Sal Paradise (Sam Riley). After meeting Dean and his young wife Marylou (Kristen Stewart) Sal finds himself sucked in to the charm and free spirited nature of Dean. This leads our trio on a series of road trips around the U.S. in the late 40's where they encounter a mix of people who each impact their journey.
What I found a bit weird about this film was the fact nothing really happened... They drove, drank, smoked, got naked, did drugs and screwed each other but nothing ever really came of it. I kept waiting for a storyline to appear but alas it never happened, closest thing I could think of was Dean looking for his father which took up a total of ten minutes. I could be overlooking the fact that this movie is simply about the journey, but I don't know I feel it needed something more to it. One thing that I really did love was the locations we find ourselves in watching this movie. Director Walter Salles really has a great eye for landscape. Some of the shots were just beautiful, whether is was a setting sun or a car driving along a snowy road Sallas really made the most of it.
Sam Riley plays his part pretty well. A quite obsever watching Dean with curiosity and an understated intensity, which at times makes him feel a little too distant. Kristen Stewart is the same as always, she didn't really have much to do with Marylou so i guess she thought she didn't have to do anything. Which is a shame because I think there was a great opportunity for giving the character something... more. Garrett Hedlund as Dean is maybe the best I have seen from Hedlund on screen, but I think there could have also been a bit more with Dean. Being the bright charismatic sun that he is meant to be I never felt it. Not that he was without charm but just because someone has a nice smile and a way with the ladies wouldn't make you jump into a car with him for months on end.
I don't think this movie is for everyone, being that nothing really happens I wouldn't be surprised if many found it fairly dull. Still though there is a certain charm to it, just not much,
