Two-Lane Blacktop is a minimalist existential road movie that offers very little in terms of plot, and is intended have have the viewer reflect rather than provide answers, and I think this is the right approach to take for a road movie. The bare bones plot revolves around two aimless hippie race freaks played by musicians James Taylor (a personal favorite I might add) and The Beach Boys' Dennis Wilson starring in their only feature film roles (Taylor had a cameo in Funny People but I'm not counting that). The duo pick up a hitchhiking young woman and meet a talkative know-it-all, wonderfully played by Warren Oates, and challenge him to cross country race with each side's cars at stake. The film is wonderfully directed by Monte Hellman, with wonderful shots showcasing the countryside and the road to compensate for the lack of plot development. It may not be to everyone's taste, but I found Two-Lane Blacktop to definitely be worth the ride.
Entertainment Magazine
Two-Lane Blacktop is a minimalist existential road movie that offers very little in terms of plot, and is intended have have the viewer reflect rather than provide answers, and I think this is the right approach to take for a road movie. The bare bones plot revolves around two aimless hippie race freaks played by musicians James Taylor (a personal favorite I might add) and The Beach Boys' Dennis Wilson starring in their only feature film roles (Taylor had a cameo in Funny People but I'm not counting that). The duo pick up a hitchhiking young woman and meet a talkative know-it-all, wonderfully played by Warren Oates, and challenge him to cross country race with each side's cars at stake. The film is wonderfully directed by Monte Hellman, with wonderful shots showcasing the countryside and the road to compensate for the lack of plot development. It may not be to everyone's taste, but I found Two-Lane Blacktop to definitely be worth the ride.
