Five Easy Pieces

Five Easy Pieces

1970, R, 98 min. Directed by Bob Rafelson. Starring Jack Nicholson, Karen Black, Billy Green Bush, Fannie Flagg, Susan Anspach, Sally Struthers, Ralph Waite, Lois Smith.

REVIEWED By Marjorie Baumgarten, Tue., Aug. 22, 2000

This is one of those “original slacker” stories about a gifted pianist from the privileged classes who chooses to work on the oil rigs and slum through life as an average joe. Five Easy Pieces is also the film that contains Nicholson’s oft-repeated chicken-salad speech in the diner.

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Bob Rafelson and co-conceptualist Jack Nicholson did for the Monkees what Richard Lester did for the Beatles in A Hard Day's Night and Help!, creating a wacked-out, aimless universe that constantly riffs on popular culture.

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KEYWORDS FOR THIS FILM

Five Easy Pieces, Bob Rafelson, Jack Nicholson, Karen Black, Billy Green Bush, Fannie Flagg, Susan Anspach, Sally Struthers, Ralph Waite, Lois Smith

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