Moviedrome Introduction
Film Details
Plot Summary
Bobby Dupea (Jack Nicholson) is a disillusioned, working-class oil rig worker in California, living with his waitress girlfriend, Rayette (Karen Black). Beneath his rough exterior, Bobby has a hidden past—he comes from a privileged, highly cultured family of classical musicians. He abandoned that life, rejecting its expectations, and now drifts aimlessly, seeking meaning but finding only dissatisfaction.
When he learns that his estranged father has suffered a debilitating stroke, Bobby reluctantly returns to his family's estate in Washington. He brings Rayette along but quickly grows embarrassed by her lack of refinement, leaving her at a nearby motel while he reconnects with his family.
At the Dupea home, Bobby is confronted with the life he left behind. His brother Carl (Ralph Waite) is an accomplished violinist, and Carl’s fiancée, Catherine (Susan Anspach), is a sophisticated music teacher who becomes intrigued by Bobby’s rebellious nature. The two share a brief, passionate affair, but Catherine ultimately rejects Bobby, seeing him as unreliable and emotionally disconnected.
Feeling increasingly alienated, Bobby lashes out at his family and the world around him. After a final, silent attempt to communicate with his mute father—who is unable to respond—he decides to leave. He picks up Rayette, and they begin their journey back south.
In the film’s haunting final scene, Bobby stops at a gas station and, without a word, abandons Rayette. He hitches a ride with a truck driver heading north, leaving behind everything once again—his girlfriend, his past, and any chance of stability.
Personal History
Current Review
One of the best Moviedrome films to date. A low key drama, where nothing is spelled out and you have to make your own mind up about Bobby's behaviour. Especially the ending, as detailed in the spoiler plot summary.
Jack Nicholson perfectly cast in full on manic mode. Three scenes really stand out. On the way to their manual jobs at the oil rig, they get stuck in traffic. Jack plays up, getting out the car, antagonising other commuters and eventually getting on the back of a removal truck to play the piano.
Quirky Facts
- Jack Nicholson wanted Janis Joplin to have the part of Palm Apodaca, but it was never offered to her.
- "Five Easy Pieces" refers to a book of piano lessons for beginners.
Quote - The Restaurant Scene
- Bobby: I'd like a plain omelette, no potatoes, tomatoes instead, a cup of coffee and wheat toast.
- Waitress: [points at his menu] No substitutions.
- Bobby: What do you mean? You don't have any tomatoes?
- Waitress: Only what's on the menu. You can have a number two, a plain omelette, it comes with cottage fries and rolls.
- Bobby: Yeah, I know what it comes with, but it's not what I want.
- Waitress: Well, I'll come back when you make up your mind
- Bobby: Wait a minute, I have made up my mind. I'd like a plain omelette, no potatoes on the plate, a cup of coffee and a side order of wheat toast.
- Waitress: I'm sorry, we don't have any side orders of toast. I'll give you an English muffin or a coffee roll.
- Bobby: What do you mean you don't make side orders of toast? You make sandwiches, don't you?
- Waitress: Would you like to talk to the manager?
- Palm Apodaca: Hey, mac...
- Bobby: Shut up.
- [to the waitress]
- Bobby: You've got bread and a toaster of some kind?
- Waitress: I don't make the rules.
- Bobby: OK, I'll make it as easy for you as I can. I'd like an omelette, plain, and a chicken salad sandwich on wheat toast, no mayonnaise, no butter, no lettuce, and a cup of coffee.
- Waitress: A number two, a chicken salad sand. Hold the butter, the lettuce, and the mayonnaise, and a cup of coffee. Anything else?
- Bobby: Yeah, now all you have to do is hold the chicken, bring me the toast, give me a cheque for the chicken salad sandwich, and you haven't broken any rules.
- Waitress: You want me to hold the chicken, huh?
- Bobby: I want you to hold it between your knees.
- [Palm Apodaca sniggers]
- Waitress: [points at a sign behind her] You see that sign, sir? Yes, you'll all have to leave! I'm not taking any more of your smartness and sarcasm!
- Bobby: You see this sign?
- [he sweeps all the glasses off the table onto the floor]
Quotes Other
- Bobby: [out of his car during a traffic jam, yelling at other motorists] Ants! Why don't we all line up like a goddamned bunch of ants! Its the most beautiful part of the day!
- Bobby: Where are *you* goin'?
- Palm Apodaca: Alaska.
- Bobby: Alaska. What are you: on vacation?
- Terry: She wants to live there 'cause it's cleaner.
- Bobby: Cleaner. Cleaner than what?
- Palm Apodaca: You don't have to tell everybody about it. Pretty soon they'll all go there and it won't be so clean.
- Bobby: What makes you think it's cleaner?
- Palm Apodaca: I saw a picture of it. Alaska's very clean. It appeared to look very white to me. Don't you think?
- Bobby: Yep. That was before the big thaw.
- Palm Apodaca: Before the what?
Sustenance
Part of the BBS Film Studios - American New Wave.... these are the films they made;
Head (1968)
Easy Rider (1969)Five Easy Pieces (1970)Drive, He Said (1971)
The Last Picture Show (1971)A Safe Place (1971)
The King of Marvin Gardens (1972)
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