Based on Jack Kerouac’s famous novel, the movie is set in 1947 and follows the life of Sal (Sam Riley), an aspiring writer who can’t find anything to say after the death of his father. He meets Dean (Garrett Hedlund) and Marylou (Kristen Stewart) who introduce him to a world of sex, drugs and a life in the fast lane.
Exploring sexuality and the fragility of relationships, this coming-of-age film revels in the sporadic decisions made in the heat of the moment and the consequences that come about later.
“Hold onto your girdles” because it’s going to be a long drive. The exhausting plotline can’t effectively translate from the book to the big screen and the litany of on-again-off-again characters only adds confusion to the mix.
Behind the steering wheel, there’s a real turn-on between the cast, especially the brilliant chemistry between Hedlund and Stewart.
But with no real plot development, On The Road needs a GPS to realign the focus of the film and engage the audience without the allure of excessive sex and drugs.
Verdict: 3.5 stars
Good for: people who don’t mind hearing Kristen Stewart’s sex moans
