Two-Lane Blacktop

When I saw a Criterion Collection DVD called Two-Lane Blacktop with a cast that included singer James Taylor, Beach Boy Dennis Wilson and character actor extraordinaire Warren Oates leading the way, I knew I had to give it a try. It's the definition of a 70s road movie with an existential feel to it where characters are called by what they are, 'the Driver' and 'the Mechanic' are just two, and while at times the movie tries too hard to be cool or different, it is a good example of how good a road movie can be.

The storyline at its most basic, VERY BASIC, is a cross-country road race for pink slips between the Driver (Taylor) and his Mechanic (Wilson) in their stripped-down and souped up 1955 Chevy against a man called G.T.O (Oates) in his yellow Pontiac GTO. The race is almost an excuse for the movie because it's the most laid back contest you'll ever see. Both drivers don't take the easy way out. If one has car troubles, the other waits because they don't want an unfair advantage, no asterisk next to a possible win.

Taylor and Wilson are clearly not actors as the two car nuts completely obsessed with their ride. During one exchange with GTO, Taylor famously says "You can never go fast enough." The singer mumbles his way through most of his lines and glares the rest of the movie. Looking back over the movie, I'm not sure Wilson has a line that doesn't involve the state of the car of what he wants on his hamburger. Even then, as clear as it is that they're not actors, there is something appealing about two musicians taking on these roles and definitely it is one of the reasons this movie has gained cult status over the years.

Other than the great racing and car footage, the reason to see this movie is Oates as G.T.O. He's a middle-aged man driving his car across the country as his pace until he keeps seeing these car nuts through two states. One of my all-time favorite actors, Oates brings a personality and humanity to the part that Taylor and Oates aren't able to with their own. GTO constantly picks up hitchhikers, soldiers, gay cowboys, a grandma with her granddaughter, and tells a different story each time as to how he acquired the car. It's a perfect part for the veteran character actor, one I think could and should have gotten him a Supporting Actor nomination.

It's hard to pick out why I enjoyed the movie as much as I did. The first 15-minutes are ridiculously slow and almost made me quit watching. The story drifts along without a ton of purpose even after the race for pink slips has been declared. But like Easy Rider, there's a tone and style to the movie that works for some unexplained reasons. It's an enjoyable movie with a very 70s feel to it that deserves the cult status it has acquired over the years.

Of course, the Criterion Collection DVD is a pricey one at $35 or so depending on where you find it. Youtube has a fair share of videos up with movie clips. Because it is an expensive movie, I'd recommend looking into the movie before buying it blind. If you do like road movies though, this is one of the better ones you'll come across.

Here's the trailer and a great scene with Oates telling a hitchhiker all about his car.