Critics' Picks - Critics' Picks: 'Two-Lane Blacktop' - NYTimes.com/Video

[andyzip41]

Are you kidding me! This is an all time classic, don't overthink it! American Graffiti without the reality tv. There is no fluff here, The driver, or anyone else in the movie is not thinking about american business,or job security, not too many people were in the early 70's. Take a minute, relax lets call a truce....would you like a hard boiled egg or something...

[mercmarc]

It might be the jets because we dont have an air cleaner to keep debris from the road out of the carburetor.

[greg55666]

@5191keith Oh, well, that's okay, but I always think it is not a legitimate criticism of a movie to say "it's not what I wanted it to be"--that is not the problem of the movie. But certainly, if you're just pointing out it's not "real" and that's what you were looking for, nothing wrong with that.

[greg55666]

@5191keith Uh, I don't think you listened to what Scott was saying.

[1955Cal]

I thought the movie was pretty good but I enjoyed watching James Taylor and Dennis Wilson. They should have driving a little duece coupe.

[HEMIChopper69]

One Badd Ass Big-Block '55 Chev.

[1971SuperLead]

This is the greatest movie ever made.....I used to like this movie for the car, but now I get it. This movie is about loneliness, emptiness, purposelessness and disconnection. It's about people who are spiritual dead and don't even know it. They drive fast to drown out and get away from their misery, but they can't! They are victims of their own minds. Spiritually blind. 100% humans. Terrible! But the director captures this in every single moment perfectly! Incredible! Impossible! Brilliant!

[greg55666]

@1971SuperLead Good. Yes.

This movie and Vanishing Point are both about nihilistic and empty lives. Vanishing Point gives Kowalski reasons for his nihilism--Vietnam, his racing days. Two-Lane Blacktop takes all that away. These are mindless people who are so disconnected. I've always thought this movie said something profound and scary about not just these people but America. Scott has it right, the performances of the Driver, Mechanic, and Girl are creepily empty.

[1971SuperLead]

@greg55666, Let's add Easy Rider to the list. Once again we meet people who are "cool and free" but have forgotten, or never learned, that the only thing that makes life fulfilling is being selfless. The selfish road may seem rewarding, but like starting a cocaine habit, it's only fun for a little while. Eventually we can't stand to even look in the mirror. These people aren't mindless, but ego minded. The movie is ingenius in depicting the horror of being self absorbed.

[2hotinaz]

@1971SuperLead And, in this way it is a metaphor for 'real life'. Most of us start out self-absorbed and narcissistic, and as we mature (IF we mature) we learn, slowly but surely, that life doesn't revolve around us, and finally, that old saw 'it's better to give than receive' begins to make sense. Of course, I doubt that this was the goal of the film maker, but it happened anyway. In fact, it happens at the subconscious level for most of us.

[1971SuperLead]

@2hotinaz,Yes, I agree fully, but when I look at government and business practices, I see nothing but unabashed greed. What I wouldn't do to work for a place that actually cared about their customers.

I first watched 2 Lane BT back in 1977 and though Warren Oates was nuts but that the James and Dennis where living a really great life. It took me 20 years of watching this a couple times a year to finally understand what this movie is really about. What a shock! It's about the road to hell.

[2hotinaz]

@1971SuperLead A company that cares about its employees will also care about its customers. Funny how that works. And, it's because they know that a satisfied employee will bend over backwards to do their very best for that company. (They are also smart enough to realise that a few employees will try to take advantage of the situation, but understand how to best deal with troublemakers without arousing huge anger. A 'savvy' business owner will take a lot of psychology classes!)

[1971SuperLead]

@2hotinaz Yes, I fully agree again, but where are these businesses? Where is the business that not just acts like they care about their customers, but actually does? Corporate mentality is infecting all business. It's all about money and nothing else.

Back to Two Lane......what was their goal? Just living for kicks? Where was Warren going? Was he just hunting for anything that looked better than where he was?

Competition is hell. I hate the competitive mentality.

[1971SuperLead]

@2hotinaz Where are these companies? I worked for 20 different companies so far and everyone of them was crooked and callous.

[2hotinaz]

@1971SuperLead If you're talking about big companies, I KNOW that Microsoft and Google BOTH bent backwards for their employees, though I'm not sure how it is now that they've grown so large and most likely ruled by the stockholders. In fact, the best companies to work for are smaller ones and privately owned ones who answer to no one but themselves. They ARE still out there, though in this economy ARE harder to find. (Cos their employees NEVER quit, and they're not growing right now!)

[1971SuperLead]

@2hotinaz That makes sense, although I am sure that any really large company is going to be stupid to work for. The top never knows what the bottom is up against and so they tell the bottom to do all kinds of stupid things. I remember "empowerment training" where we were all told we were "empowered". Man, all that did was remind us how insignificant we were. In the 21 years I worked at that company, no big shot ever came to the floors to talk WITH us.

[2hotinaz]

@1971SuperLead Oh, and your synopsis of the movie is dead on. Sadly it seems as though a lot of people are taking that same road to hell these days and don't even realise it as they seem to 'fit right in' with the majority. I don't know the actual cause...additives in our food, background radiation...dozens of other things...but somehow the human brain seems as though it's becoming perpetually stuck in childhood mode. It seems to get worse with each passing year. Real research is needed soon.

[1971SuperLead]

@2hotinaz 35 years ago I thought this movie was all about being smart and cool. These guys had broken free from the 40 hour work week grind and were living a superior life. They were FREE! Free from bosses, alarm clocks, the IRS, sucky jobs, bills, etc. I totally admired them. They were two wild boys roaming free in a bitchin car on a wild adventure. What I didn't see was what a pointless existence they were leading. Adventure and freedom are nothing if we aren't feeling appreciated.

[hogochodo]

@1971SuperLead

i guess i disagree with both interpretations. true they arent truly "free" but at the same time their existence isnt pointless, just honed to the bare minimum.. taylors character realizes the ultimate possible consequences of that life, accepts it, closes the emotional door and burns up.

apparently the end came to the director in a dream so i guess its open to interpretation..

[1971SuperLead]

@hogochodo What was the point of their life? Just to avoid the rat race? Is that worth living for? What were they living for?

[hogochodo]

@1971SuperLead

i guess i look at the film in more of a timeless sense. think of it outside of the 60s/70s counter culture.. the film runs deeper than that. i watched an interview with the director where he mentions that he almost thinks of the mechanic and driver as gunfighters.. in a sense its almost about archetypes.. its hard to explain because it works on such an intuitive level for me. its one of the best films ive ever seen, and because of that, its difficult for me to intellectualize...

[mikemilne]

Warren Oates, always great- Bring Me The Head of Alfredo Garcia, The Wild Bunch, Stripes

[philipperholland]

cockfighter is also a masterpiece imho



[fattony252]

That 55 chevy was destroyd in American Grafetti. You havent seen it around have U?

[bikercc]

@fattony252 actually all 3 55 chevy's are still around from this movie, the wrecked 55 in american graffiti was crushed. The other 2 are still around, one of which was used in two-lane blacktop

[andyguitar99]

RIP Laurie Bird, topped herself at 24, in Art Garfunkels New York pad

[CycloneFE]

I like the critic's take on this movie. I have watched it hundreds of times also. I have a recorded vhs from before the movie was available for sale to the public. I think it is a very fair representation of a part of my youth. So many scenes are identical to what I experienced, nothing romantic, just real life, maybe this was one of the first "reality" type of shows.

[1bountifulinc]

This movie is a cult classic. I was 21 in 1970 and I was right there with these guys in my 1970 Firebird Formula 400, 3 in the floor. Ate GTO's for breakfast and 396 Chevelles for lunch. Got humuliated one night by a 440 GTX at a light on Gordon Hwy in Augusta, Ga. Would give anything to have that car back.

[strandwolf]

@1bountifulinc I had a 55 Chevy convertible with a Muncie 4-speed.

[Mr66chev]

I don't know why he would say that Americas love for cars is ending. there are still plenty of guys who love bad ass cars.

[scottmanduzy]

warren Oates was so good in everything he did

[fuhmeregan]

Half way there on the critique (so reviewer's not bad, like an english prof :)) - 2 lane is as existential as it gets, tiredly, but purely. all you Albee and Pinter fans out there, rent this - you will like.

[1971SuperLead]

I've watched this movie around 100 times. I always love it. Why? I think my favori+6

t000[e scenes are when the 55 is going flat out in the middle of nowhere. I just think that's so cool. I just want to be running wide open in a bitchin car out in the middle of nowhere.

Escapism? Freedom? Elitism? Power? What am I searching for?

[80s4U]

That 55 was so mean it sucked the balls right out Taylor & he's been a folk pussy ever since.

[woodzo40]

SHIT IN INDIANA ITS NOT ENDING IN TEARS. Every sat night classic cars dragrace on the streets, right buy the Suds. We keep the shit going hear, and its a lot better then a boring ass movie two lane blacktop.

[1bountifulinc]

Mermac - there are movies out there (at least there were) that were good even without boob shots, and KNTO791, you wouldn't know a really simple and fun movie unless it was stuck up your butt!!!

[mercmarc]

@1bountifulinc I know it is a fun movie, i do like it, its just seemed like with all the sexual suggestive scenes they could have thrown in a little booby.

[mercmarc]

Its the story of a wandering slut out to screw as many guys as possible. however the big letdown is you never once even get so much as a gratuitous tit shot. 4 thumbs down.

[chrism60561]

@mercmarc Congratulations , you suck at reviewing movies.

[mercmarc]

@chrism60561 It wasnt a review i was just having a little fun with it. Have a nice day, doosh bag.

[dearborndevil]

SPOILER!!!!

[KNT0791]

A masterpiece? This is the world's shittiest movie ever, but I watched it 4 times, it's awesomely shitty.

[71GOLDDUST7]

@KNT0791 Go drive your Toyota,hug a tree,and shut the fuck up!

[KNT0791]

@71GOLDDUST7 If you think this was a good movie perhaps you should drive your Chevy to a facility where they treat mentally incapacitated people. You seriously can't think this was a good movie.

[johnnyz55z]

BARNES & NOBLE TLB HALF PRICE CRITERIAN EDITION IS THE BEST !

MUST HAVE IF YOU LOVE THIS MOVIE, script, and tons of extras like James Taylors screen test , must have DVD,

I have watched it 200 times and will watch it till the day i die !!!

[RideMyBMW]

Fu%$in classic road movie. Can't believe these NY Times muthafu$#as would show the ending like that and spoil it for folks. Fu%$in cu$#s!!!!

[lloydmcc120]

A one of kind film-the only completely zen road/car movie I can think of. I love Easy Rider, too, but it's the polar opposite within the same genre. They're two sides of the same coin, and I love both sides.

[mackinl]

this is a great film.whata got in it 396  454.great stuff.

[notme20640]

HELL YEAH! I have watched this movie about 30 times and it just keeps getting better. Love the 55's. " Make it 3 yards motherfucker" LOL

[taospec]

I Loved that movie too

[SDR2446]

Great movie! I have to watch it over again about every six months to keep all the details fresh in my mind. I pick up something new every time.

[duckgeezer]

this is a brilliant movie, slow and brooding throughout.

[ghahandi]

Balls to the wall. Love this film~! Gotta have 55 flat black gasser with a big block Chevy and a Ford nine inch! Want it! Gotta have it NOW~!

[rvargas68]

Your right that is how it was; late 60's & early 70's. Run what you brung !

[s3xyScorp]

good movie,describes the 70s perfectly

[Vespahipcat]

I like how no-one has a name in this movie! Back in my days we had nic names for all the other street racers.

Best car movie of all time!

[slopmaster1]

Tears?What the hell man.Love afair dying with the auto?Man what a liberal.Those of us out here that was smart enough not to be in dept up to our eyeballs can drive what we want when ever we want no matter how high the price of gas gets.Scre the liberals and screw the green movement!!

[Th3SundanceKid]

sure. wait until you pay 2$ per 1/4 galon like we do in europe and then you might get what this "liberal" is talking about.

[pescadoygamba]

great movie,also another obscure one from then is "Corky" with a 68 cuda on his way to daytona and the main player being robert blake,theactor / murder suspect.

[chicklman]

This critic is a fucking idiot.  The car culture lives on and liberals must die!

[Righty736]

I only watched the movie for the muncie transmission!

[colony69]

Hahahaha greatest comment ever!

[solomotor7]

If you want to watch a great muscle car movie...try hollywood knights...vanishing point isn't too bad either.

[solomotor7]

Except for the footage of the vintage cars especially the 70 GTO...the movie sucks and the actors are terrible except for Warren Oats the GTO driver. Just goes to show you...critics have don't have a clue!

[Thejbirdy]

Cool rock stars there, wasn't Graham Parsons in this as well?