On the Road

2012 / France / 124 minutes

Director:  Walter Salles
Screenplay:  Jose Rivera, based on the novel On the Road by Jack Kerouac
Starring:  Sam Riley, Garrett Hedlund, Kristen Stewart, Kirsten Dunst, Alice Braga, Amy Adams, Tom Sturridge, Viggo Mortensen
Genre:  Drama

Jack Kerouac's cult novel On the Road, published in 1957, defined what would become known as the Beat Generation, became a counter-culture touchstone and is now an acknowledged classic of American literature.

This film certainly will not become a classic, cult or otherwise, and is unlikely to become a generational touchstone.  Set in the late 1940s and early 50s, the virtually plotless narrative revolves around aspiring writer Sal Paradise (Riley) who undertakes a series of journeys with his charismatic irresponsible friend, Dean Moriarty (Hedlund).

It's well-made and always looks good, but the novel cries out for a more experimental, free-wheeling approach.  As it is, the film captures none of the verve and excitement of Kerouac's prose, thereby most of the point.  It's a well-night impossible task to make a good film of Kerouac's works because they are so dependent on literary style and technique.  As it is, it's an attractive, well-made but basically undistinguished literary adaptation.  

The film is well-acted by an impressive cast, however while he has the looks and charisma, and turns in a solid performance, Garrett Hedlund doesn't really capture the force-of-nature magneticism of Dean Moriarty.  As Moriarty's young wife, Marylou, Kristen Stewart is fantastic.