If you wanted to make an anti-establishment movie in the '70s (and it was pretty common practice at the time), you weren't gonna find a more perfect lead than Jack Nicholson. Everything about the guy screams anger, rebellion, and controlled insanity, so he's perfect for a script about powerless men who want to fight the system but know deep down that they never will.
It's a somber premise, frankly, and neither Robert Towne nor Hal Ashby shy away from this futility. But they're also willing to indulge in some beer-soaked shenanigans for the time being, with the result being an entertaining and exhausting little odyssey, one that strikes a great balance between comedy and drama (especially because, no matter how silly or stupid the antics get, you never once forget what they're doing or why they're doing it).
I also just love the look of this movie. It's got some great wintery atmosphere, and it makes heavy use of long takes and dissolves, all of which emphasize the length of the journey, the sluggish stupor these poor guys find themselves in, and the bleakness of their future. It's simple, straightforward, and character-rich storytelling, which is precisely how I like it. Know what I mean?
Grade: A+
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