MovieChat Forums > On the Road (2012) Discussion > Is this film being DEEP SIXED in the Uni...

Is this film being DEEP SIXED in the United States?

posted 12 years ago by denniskriz
20 replies | jump to latest

I wonder. The book was very controversial when it came out. I just find it incredible that a film with the number of young stars in it as there are -- Sam Riley, Garrett Hedlund, KRISTEN STEWART, KIRSTEN DUNST, AMY ADAMS -- would become _so_ invisible.

I simply don't buy that it's been "marketed poorly" ...

A SINGLE TWEET on Kirsten Stewart's twitter page would make standing room only lines form outside theaters across the country. (All the more so, since she is topless in the film).

Instead, I honestly see conspiracy here. Kristen Stewart is already a star and Garrett Hedlund will become a GENERATIONAL GOD after this film gets finally released.

And yet IMHO there are people who probably prefer posters of "Dick Cheney" in their bedrooms rather than EITHER Stewart of Hedlund who are trying REALLY HARD to keep tens of millions of young people from seeing this film.

And honestly THAT IS WRONG. Yes, it's an R-rated film but COLLEGE AGED KIDS HAVE A RIGHT TO SEE THIS FILM. Because it deals with MORE than "just sex."

THE FILM'S above all ABOUT FREEDOM.

Fr. Dennis Kriz, OSM
http://frdennismoviereviews.blogspot.com/

PS - I've already seen the film and read the book. I've been waiting for the film to FINALLY be released here in Chicago to put up my review of it. Faced with the possibility that the film (despite ALL THOSE STARS) won't be released (generally) in the U.S. at all, I'm going to have to write-up a review before (IF EVER) it comes here. Sigh ...

[–] jtice_va 12 years ago

I don't understand either. Surely On The Road would be of interest to everyone who appreciates the importance of Kerouac's book, the Beats, Coppola, those who like Salles and Motorcycle Diaries, and those who are interested in the cast or the history of how the film finally came to be made. Perhaps I am just naive about what makes people interested in a film, or how resistant the film-going public can be if not guaranteed a laugh every fifteen seconds. Is the formulaic hollywood entertainment quotient the only yardstick by which a film can be judged? The Beats were indeed the bridge that took us from the 40s and 50s to cultural revolution of the 60s. How can that garner so little interest?

[–] Sergeant343 12 years ago

The film is no substitute for the book.

HI F-ING YA
Nicholas Cage Deadfall
2013 Rankings imdb.com/list/2-zx4cThbEY/

[–] Falconeer 12 years ago

I think the film is absolutely brilliant, and it couldn't have stayed any closer to the source material than it did, which is rare for film adaptations of books. I just think that this is not really "mainstream" material, despite the fact that it stars teen "icon" Kristen Stewart. The themes that "On the Road" deals with will make alot of people uncomfortable, sadly. And surprisingly, many younger people found it boring as well, which really surprised me. as for the rating it got on this site; 6 stars is not very good at all. I'm sure though "On the Road" will have it's run, but in smaller, arthouse theaters in major cities and college towns. Btw it is certainly my favorite film of the year, and while I'm disappointed that it wasn't a commercial success, I'm not at all surprised..

"IMdB; where 14 year olds can act like jaded 40 year old critics...'

[–] jtice_va 12 years ago

I'm happy to hear a few people saying it's a good film. I still haven't seen it and don't know if I'll get to see it in a theatre. I'll buy the DVD as soon as it's released. Just the intersection of all the great names gives me goosebumps... Coppola, Sales, Gautier, Kerouac, Cassady, Ginsberg, Burroughs... I suspect that too many people get hung up in comparing the film to the book. The book is a stream of consciousness experiment of sorts, and it's not surprising that it can't be duplicated. I tend to see that kind of criticism as more a problem with the expectation of the viewer than of the integrity of the film. And just as the book didn't fit the formulaic literary trends of the time, why should we have expectations that the film would conform to the formulaic hollywood commercial template? I'm still quite optimistic that I will love it.

Is there a resource for finding where the film is showing- I'd travel a ways to see it if I could figure out where it's playing.

[–] Falconeer 12 years ago

i don't think it is still playing anywhere, but it will be available on dvd soon undoubtedly. I hope you enjoy it. Actually one of the nice things about the film is that it IS very much like the book; i can't remember seeing a film that remains more faithful to it's source material. and as far as style goes, "On the road" is visually stunning. I don't think anyone would deny that it is a beautiful looking film..

"IMdB; where 14 year olds can act like jaded 40 year old critics...'

[–] jtice_va 12 years ago

I love films that are great visually- I'm a photographer myself. I can enjoy a film just for what I call "texture." The overall visual-emotional effect separate from the plot. July 30 is the DVD release date. I'm sure I'll want to own a copy regardless. I found that it's playing in Athen OH, which is about 250 miles. Long way to go to see a film so I guess I'll wait. We have an independent community theatre in my town and I've emailed them about it. Hoping they'll pick it up sometime this summer. I'm glad you enjoyed it and appreciate you posting a nice review.