Five Easy Pieces
First screened in June 1999 / Most recently screened in July 2013
Director: Bob Rafelson. Cast: Jack Nicholson, Karen Black, Lois Smith, Susan Anspach, Ralph Waite, William Challee, Billy Green Bush, Fannie Flagg, Helena Kallianiotes, Toni Basil, John Ryan, Sally Struthers, Marlena MacGuire, Lorna Thayer. Screenplay: Adrien Joyce.

 Twitter Capsule: Story can feel forced, as do class and regional idioms, but performances, lensing feel indelible from the outset.

VOR: ⑤  Priceless prevision of the intimate behavioral scrutiny and the high bar of acting that would define top-drawer American drama for the rest of the decade. Good writing lab, too.


Photo © 1970 Columbia Pictures/BBS Productions

Not yet reviewed in full. Grade: B+

Academy Award Nominations:
Best Picture
Best Actor: Jack Nicholson
Best Supporting Actress: Karen Black
Best Original Screenplay: Adrien Joyce & Bob Rafelson

Golden Globe Nominations and Winners:
Best Picture (Drama)
Best Director: Bob Rafelson
Best Actor (Drama): Jack Nicholson
★Best Supporting Actress (tie): Karen Black
Best Screenplay: Adrien Joyce and Bob Rafelson

Other Awards:
New York Film Critics Circle: Best Picture; Best Director; Best Supporting Actress (Black)
National Society of Film Critics: Best Supporting Actress (Smith)
National Board of Review: Best Supporting Actress (Black)
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