“The
only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk,
mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never
yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn, like fabulous yellow
roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see
the blue centerlight pop and everybody goes "Awww!” -
Jack Kerouac
I must admit this was the quote that made me want to read the book that has so famously divided people into two kinds - the ones who absolutely love the book and the ones who think Kerouac's writing was just hyped up following his death. I did watch the documentary on the life of Jack Kerouac, but never managed to get hold of the book. And somewhere deep within, knowing his life story, I don't want to be harsh. So lets see.
Sal
Paradise (Sam Riley) is the narrator of this road trip that he and a group of friends
set off on in search of meaning and spirituality. He goes around with his diary
making observations on everyone around him, but it's mostly Dean that he is
fascinated with. At times, we see them reading to each other
from Swann's Way by Marcel Proust.While the first half
of the movie mostly helps us to get to know the characters, the second half is
mostly the road trip, the people they meet on the way and how their futures are
shaped.
Dean Moriarty (Garrett Hedlund) is one hell of a charmer with a deep voice who can be the center of attention in any group. However, it's not all show and he does have a deeper side to him. We see that when he's entertaining Sal with one of his anecdotes while visiting him, and suddenly breaks into a silence, breathes deeply and says "It's good to have family, isn't?" At times his personality could be bordering on psychosis as he keeps abandoning all those who love him while being so unaware of the mess his life is.
Marylou
(Kristen Stewart) is unforgettable. Sexually adventurous and so full of life.
She understands Dean very well and loves him but says she can't have him since
he is so mad. Among the other characters in the movie is Carlo Marx (Tom
Sturridge). He has a funny way of talking and in one of the scenes he mentions
about contemplating suicide and then suddenly realizing, "Oh shit, I
haven't even written a suicide note. I'm going over searching my mind for the
right words and then I couldn't jump anymore. In that moment I wanted to
experience the wisdom of life, mad with ecstasy and vengeance and truth." Viggo
Mortensen (Old Bull Lee) and Kirsten Dunst (Camille) have nice little cameos
too.
Garrett
Hedlund delivers a strong performance as Dean. So does Sam Riley in his moments
of despair for not being able to earn his father's respect. Walter Salles
(of The Motorcycle Diaries fame) has done a good job of
adapting the book (that so many claim is "unfilmable") with some
lesser known actors. Though I wouldn't know how good an adaptation it
is. At the end of it, I don't have any strong feelings. I'm certainly not
bored as some others would say. I'm glad I watched the movie first and now I
can go on to read the book. I'm afraid the other way round is always
disappointing.
Rating - 7/10
