I don’t believe I read the film Easy Rider as it was intended to be read. Roger Ebert says something to the effect that Wyatt was intended to be a Christ figure who is crucified for the sins of society. Ebert finds fault with this version of the story. He finds it a little too convenient that these two men think the world’s problems can be solved with pot smoking and the open road. Judging by the interview with Peter Fonda I saw on the special edition DVD this might be exactly the message Peter Fonda wanted to portray. Wyatt and Billy are aiming at freedom but are murdered by a society that can’t allow that. Billy and Wyatt are killed for being different but are they guilt free? Ebert wonders: knowing what we do today about Cocaine perhaps Wyatt and Billy aren’t just dying for the sins of society but also their own. I think Ebert makes a great point. But I see Wyatt and Billy’s guilt going deeper than their involvement hard drugs, but also in their aimlessness.
Wyatt and Billy are aiming at freedom but for what purpose and to what end? Do they enrich those they happen upon or only take from others? When they meet George they take him to a bordello that he wants visit. George is later killed before they reach their destination. Wyatt and Billy make it to the whorehouse and take two prostitutes to Marti Gras and then to a graveyard where they drop acid. I find this version of freedom hard to swallow, and not simply because they killed for it. This freedom is impotent to set anyone else free and cannot address the needs of the human soul.
Wyatt later says to Billy “we blew it man, we blew it.” Judging by what happens next these words are a prophetic utterance. But what do they mean? Did they blow it by underestimating the evils of American society? Or did they mean that they blew it by their own aimlessness and naivety? What makes Easy Rider a great film is that it can mean both. Easy Rider doesn’t play like a propaganda film for sixties ideals but is smart enough to ask the viewer what went wrong.
I think Jordan said most of what I wanted to say. One thing to add is that it is clear that the objective was to make these figures like the "Outlaw Hero types". Much like Bonnie and Clyde, their deeds are self-serving and yet you are made to see them as the heroes. It is no coincidence that their names are Wyatt (Wyatt Earp) and Billy (Billy the Kid). The question then becomes, are they an example of freedom fighters against an oppressive society, or are they simply feeding off an oppressive society to further their own selfish gain?
I don’t believe I read the film Easy Rider as it was intended to be read. Roger Ebert says something to the effect that Wyatt was intended to be a Christ figure who is crucified for the sins of society. Ebert finds fault with this version of the story. He finds it a little too convenient that these two men think the world’s problems can be solved with pot smoking and the open road. Judging by the interview with Peter Fonda I saw on the special edition DVD this might be exactly the message Peter Fonda wanted to portray. Wyatt and Billy are aiming at freedom but are murdered by a society that can’t allow that.
ReplyDeleteBilly and Wyatt are killed for being different but are they guilt free? Ebert wonders: knowing what we do today about Cocaine perhaps Wyatt and Billy aren’t just dying for the sins of society but also their own. I think Ebert makes a great point. But I see Wyatt and Billy’s guilt going deeper than their involvement hard drugs, but also in their aimlessness.
Wyatt and Billy are aiming at freedom but for what purpose and to what end? Do they enrich those they happen upon or only take from others? When they meet George they take him to a bordello that he wants visit. George is later killed before they reach their destination. Wyatt and Billy make it to the whorehouse and take two prostitutes to Marti Gras and then to a graveyard where they drop acid. I find this version of freedom hard to swallow, and not simply because they killed for it. This freedom is impotent to set anyone else free and cannot address the needs of the human soul.
ReplyDeleteWyatt later says to Billy “we blew it man, we blew it.” Judging by what happens next these words are a prophetic utterance. But what do they mean? Did they blow it by underestimating the evils of American society? Or did they mean that they blew it by their own aimlessness and naivety? What makes Easy Rider a great film is that it can mean both. Easy Rider doesn’t play like a propaganda film for sixties ideals but is smart enough to ask the viewer what went wrong.
I think Jordan said most of what I wanted to say. One thing to add is that it is clear that the objective was to make these figures like the "Outlaw Hero types". Much like Bonnie and Clyde, their deeds are self-serving and yet you are made to see them as the heroes. It is no coincidence that their names are Wyatt (Wyatt Earp) and Billy (Billy the Kid). The question then becomes, are they an example of freedom fighters against an oppressive society, or are they simply feeding off an oppressive society to further their own selfish gain?
ReplyDelete