I was only 11 years old when this movie was released. Now I'm 66 and for the first time, I watched Easy Rider the other night. I had been looking forward to it. I had heard so much about it- some sort of incredible masterpiece capturing the changing essence of American culture and the search for escapism, non-conformism and the search for whatever 'IT' was at the time. Instead, I was left feeling empty, almost cheated and a little drained after watching this rambling, shallow, pointless offering about two blokes, who didn't like each other anyway, who had chosen to ride around rural America together on their motorbikes. Reality check. They were drug-taking criminals. They had sold their stock of cocaine 'down Mexico way' to fund their aimless trip. Instantly, I wasn't drawn to them. I had no empathy for them. I didn't like their characters. They were shallow, self-indulgent and self-centered. They stumble around while Billy (Dennis Hopper) bickers and carps about everything and everyone while Wyatt (Peter Fonda) tries to be like Clint Eastwood from one of his iconic spaghetti westerns, trying to be 'Mr Cool.' But there's no weight or timing to Fonda - take away those half-tinted sunglasses he constantly wears (even when sleeping) and he could be a geography teacher out for a Sunday ride on a borrowed Harley. Fonda plays the obvious Alpha to Hopper's slightly hysterical Billy, but that's it. The movie only sparks to life, momentarily and half-way through, when Jack Nicholson appears and rather preposterously gives up his job as an attorney to join the two wasters on their journey to nowhere. Nicholson (George) has a drink problem. With his ridiculous looking motorbike helmet which looks like an old-fashioned hairdryer from an old-fashioned women's hairdressers, Jack Nicholson is brilliant, suddenly stealing the limelight and grabbing the viewer and for a few minutes or so, you think "at last!" ......now this movie is really going somewhere! But Nicholson's wonderfully instant illumination of this stodge, as the eccentric George, is like a cheap firework. It quickly goes out as he is murdered by a group of 'rednecks' who attack George, Billy and Wyatt while they sleep under the stars- which is their want, as no hotel or motel will allow them to stay. The sudden violence is grotesque and totally out of kilter with the film so far. Because of this, it's now ruined, tainted and going nowhere when it could have really had a purpose and a plot if Hopper (who also directed this offering) had kept Nicholson's part alive. Instead, we are suddenly bombarded with a hotch-potch of confusing and intended jump cuts (AKA cult-French film style from the 1960s) seedy shots of prostitutes and drug takers and general squalor which interweave with other so called 'images of America' from that era, to bring Easy Rider, and not soon enough, to a shuddering end. It's now well over 50 years since it was released. And for all the reasons I have highlighted in my review, this is NOT why this movie has worn very badly.

Easy Rider is not a movie for everyone, and that includes not a movie for me. The movie is very light on story, it is mainly just a hang out and chill type of movie. And those types of movies can work for me, if they have a compelling hook or likable characters and this movie had neither. When modern audiences complain that there are so many movies where "nothing is happening" this movie is the kind they're talking about. About 20% of the movie is just having the characters ride their motorcycles. Another 20% is them just talking around the campfire. 20% where the characters are doing drugs. And the rest is filled with characters yelling at the leads to get a haircut and a real job. It is clearly a hippie movie. But it comes across too much with victim mentality for the hippies. Like people would come, completely unprovoked, and just start beating hippies with sticks or running them over with their car. It doesn't make me sympathetic to their plight, it makes me feel like the film is preaching a "woe is me" mindset. All-time great soundtrack though. And Hopper, Fonda and Nicholson put in memorable performances. I have been told that this movie would be better if, like the main characters, I was under the influence of some drugs. If a movie needs drugs to be enjoyed, it's not that good of a movie. And if the drugs need a movie to be enjoyed, they must not be very good drugs.

Easy Rider isn't a masterpiece but it is a great snapshot of America at an iconic time.

filme legalzinho, o roteiro é bacana, gostei da dupla Peter Fonda como o Wyatt e o Dennis Hopper como Billy, achei legal eles correndo pelas estradas como as motos deles e de fundo tocando a musica "Born to Be Wild do Steppenwolf, gostei da participação do Jack Nicholson foi muito boa, gostei também do envolvimento de alguns hippies no filme, mas o final foi fraco, do nada dois malucos estavam dentro de uma caminhonete, um deles pegou a escopeta e deu um tiro no billy e depois dera um tiro no wyatt que morreu e o filme acaba. eu recomendo esse filme. só o final foi fraco.

1969 in a time capsule. This film was groundbreaking when it was released and is still every bit as great as it was back then. Jack Nicholson was marvelous as was Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda. When George is suddenly and shockingly killed, the film just kind of moves on without paying much respect to the magnitude of the moment, in my humble opinion. That is the closest thing I can find to a criticism for this magnificent motion picture. The ending is what really makes the film. Easy Rider is a masterpiece. I highly recommend. 98/100

Iconic movie! One of those movies that deeply changed Hollywood.

What an incoherent and complete drivel that this came to be. The movie was an utter mess with no real plot or sense to many of the actions or effects throughout. The most overrated film I’ve ever seen.

You can take a trip and watch this interesting road trip film.

This is a movie that changed Hollywood

Very minimal in dialogue but the movie speaks volumes. Especially Peter Fonda's character, you can tell what he's thinking as the movie progresses and when he says what he's been thinking at the end you're right there with him. Would definitely watch again.

Boring. Only good aspects are Jack Nicholson and the title tune.

Just sit back and enjoy the ride, because you never know when that journey might end! Wyatt and Billy are two grifters who manage to score a huge chunk of cash from a drug deal, so they begin a cross-country journey to New Orleans for Mardi Gras, while running into some trouble along the way. An insightful look into the lifestyle of the American dream and how life on the road is not as straight-forward as it seems!

Hallucinogenic ride on the wild side, set in the 60s rural America functions as a mirror of the times and a cult classic. We join Peter Fonda (Wyatt) and Dennis Hopper (Billy) after a profitable drug deal; they trade up to shiny new choppers and embark on an epic journey across America. The viewer is treated to a visual feast as this rolling montage goes from LA to New Orleans. Jack Nicholson makes his screen debut as an alcoholic attorney who joins in and grounds the trio in reality for a short while. The dialogue is powerful for its sparseness and directness when Wyatt states: "We blew it". The dramatic unities collide in a big way at a New Orleans cemetery when a double date takes on a new cinematic twist. This is a must see cult classic. Rated R 1969 The film that almost destroyed Hollywood

I feel alone in not liking this film, to me Easy Rider is a boring film that is nothing more than two guys riding motorcycles across the country. There is no plot, no character development, and nothing happens. The film is just a series of loosely connected vignettes that are more tedious than entertaining. The film is visually great and it captures the look and feeling of overland travel on motorbikes. The cinematography is great too, but the story is not. Overall, Easy Rider is worth watching simply because it is such a famous film, but I don't plan to watch it more than once.

Overrated hippie persecution porn. Dennis Hopper is great as always though.

I am 50 years old. I am a veteran print journalist a historian and have teaching certificates in US and World History. My takeaway from this film is this: It provides the most accurate and succinct description of the prevailing and continuous American zeitgeist that has ever been portrayed on screen. The twentieth-century technology of motorcycles (and motion pictures) aside, Americans at the dawn of America would have felt that this story resonated with them as much as it does with anyone in 2023 who would take the time to watch it. The entire movie, as well of all American history, is summarized in one scene where Jack Nicholson's lawyer character George explains Americans to Peter Fonda's biker character Billy: George: You know, this used to be a helluva good country. I can't understand what's gone wrong with it. Billy: Man, everybody got chicken, that's what happened. Hey, we can't even get into like, a second-rate hotel, I mean, a second-rate motel, you dig? They think we're gonna cut their throat or somethin'. They're scared, man. George: They're not scared of you. They're scared of what you represent to 'em. Billy: Hey, man. All we represent to them, man, is somebody who needs a haircut. George: Oh, no. What you represent to them is freedom. Billy: What the hell is wrong with freedom? That's what it's all about. George: Oh, yeah, that's right. That's what's it's all about, all right. But talkin' about it and bein' it, that's two different thangs. I mean, it's real hard to be free when you are bought and sold in the marketplace. Of course, don't ever tell anybody that they're not free, 'cause then they're gonna get real busy killin' and maimin' to prove to you that they are. Oh, yeah, they're gonna talk to you, and talk to you, and talk to you about individual freedom. But they see a free individual, it's gonna scare 'em. Billy: Well, it don't make 'em runnin' scared. George: No, it makes 'em dangerous.

"Easy Rider" is a disappointingly overrated film that falls short of its supposed cult classic status. Despite its iconic status as a product of the 1960s counterculture, the movie lacks substance and fails to deliver a compelling narrative. The plot meanders aimlessly, and the characters' motivations remain shallow throughout, leaving viewers detached and unengaged. The film's attempt to capture the essence of rebellion and freedom feels forced and clichéd. The constant drug use and excessive hedonism become tiresome, detracting from any meaningful exploration of the era's social and political issues. The lack of character development leaves the audience feeling disconnected from the lead protagonists, making it difficult to empathize with their supposed plight. Furthermore, the cinematography, while praised for its experimental style at the time, appears dated and haphazard by today's standards. The erratic editing and disjointed sequences result in a jarring viewing experience that struggles to maintain coherence. Overall, "Easy Rider" is a relic of its time that has not aged well. Its supposed cultural significance may appeal to nostalgic enthusiasts, but for modern audiences seeking a gripping and well-constructed film, it falls short in delivering a compelling and enjoyable cinematic experience.

Apparently this is what major studios could do in the 60s, now this kind of storytelling is relegated to Indies. Somehow a very entertaining movie with no clear plot or motive. It's a road trip from ? to Mardi Gras and beyond, very minimal conflict seemingly no macguffin and no main antagonist… that ending tho???!!!

A fun movie that gives contemporary audience a perspective of the contrast between liberals and conservatives in America in the '60s.

A classic, counterculture road trip flick that spawned many movies of a similar ilk for years to come. A must see.