Easy Rider Augmentative Analysis Essay Example
Easy Rider Augmentative Analysis Essay Example

Easy Rider Augmentative Analysis Essay Example

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  • Pages: 3 (576 words)
  • Published: January 23, 2017
  • Type: Analysis
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The United States experienced turmoil in 1969 due to casualties in the Vietnam War and domestic political unrest. Cinema played a crucial role during this time, with successful films like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and Midnight Rider dominating the box office. Easy Rider, written by Peter Fonda, achieved significant commercial success as well, ranking third in terms of gross earnings. The film depicts the journey of two contemporary explorers searching for freedom.

Experiencing the freedom and thrill of life on the road, Wyatt and Billy leave a lasting impact on audiences who understand their struggles. Easy Rider, which premiered in 1969, is a defining film for a generation and offers critical commentary on America. Due to its innovative approach to American cinema, it is considered one of the decade's most significant films.

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The film Easy Rider, based on Jack Kerouac's novel On the Road, brought attention to previously unexplored topics like casual drug use, sexual encounters, and criticisms of the American establishment. When Dennis Hopper's movie was released, it garnered significant reactions from both fans and critics. Vincent Canby remarked that Easy Rider was not a masterpiece but an exaggerated portrayal reflecting the fears of many individuals, particularly young ones who were shocked by flaws in the system. This observation remains pertinent today as a new generation witnesses their country grappling with an entirely new set of challenges.

According to George Bush, Easy Rider has had a considerable influence on counterculture hippiedom and acted as a catalyst for political agenda. He believes that the permissive philosophy of the 1970s, which allowed drug abuse and crime, has been change

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by the Reagan administration. In Bush's view, Clint Eastwood's famous line "Go ahead, make my day" now represents the spirit of America instead of Jack Nicholson's iconic line from Easy Rider: "This used to be a great country – I can't understand what's gone wrong with it."

Jeremy Larmer expressed dissatisfaction at the time of Bush's speech, claiming that neither film accurately depicted the true America. Instead, they contributed to the culture of creating their own version of reality, which was nearly impossible to avoid. Larmer questioned whether Easy Rider had constructed its own version of America through film, or if its ambiguity towards a transformative era justified its legitimacy.

The story of two bikers embarking on a tragic cross-country journey after making a large cocaine sale, "Easy Rider" became an iconic film for the generation. Fonda stated, "We traveled across America's highways and revolutionized Hollywood filmmaking. I was fortunate to have Hopper's passion and friendship." This movie featured Jack Nicholson, who was relatively unknown at the time, delivering a remarkable performance as a drunken lawyer from a small town who joins the journey and experiences marijuana for the first time. As a result, "Easy Rider" disrupted traditional Hollywood filmmaking.

According to Peter Biskind's 1998 book "Easy Riders, Raging Bulls: How the Sex-Drugs-And-Rock 'n' Roll Generation Saved Hollywood," the movie 'Easy Rider' had a significant impact on filmmakers and the industry as a whole. Despite its importance, this iconic American film did not win any prestigious awards. However, at the 1969 Cannes Film Festival, Hopper received the First Film Award (Prix de la premiere ? uvre). Jack Nicholson was also nominated for

Best Supporting Actor at the Academy Awards, and the film itself received a nomination for Best Writing, Story and Screenplay Based on Material Not Previously Published or Produced.

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