Concrete Playground

A definitive example of New Hollywood cinema, Five Easy Pieces (1970) is a film that takes no measures to gild the lily — this is cinema served straight up. In line with other iconic features from the era such as Mike Nichols The Graduate (1967), director Bob Rafelson has managed to channel a particular mood of the time (such as the desire to shirk responsibility) into one personal scenario.

Our guide is child-prodigy-turned-oil-rig-worker Robert Dupea (Jack Nicholson), as he makes his way back home to visit his dying father. During this road trip (of sorts) we discover a few crumbs about this cantankerous, always-drinking, apathetic man. Ultimately however, Dupea remains a mystery, both to himself, those around him and the audience — this is a man who has vacated himself.

Part of The New Contemporary Galleries Film Program at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, New Hollywood is an ongoing series taking place every Wednesday as part of Art After Hours.