Under the lens takes a deep look at films by focusing in on one or two particular areas of the picture that helped to define it for better or for worse.
On the Road is a 2012 drama film directed by Walter Salles and starring Sam Riley, Garrett Hedlund, and Kristen Stewart. Based on Jack Kerouac’s seminal novel of the same name, the story follows Sal Paradise, a young writer whose life is shaken and ultimately redefined through his encounters with Dean Moriarty, a free-spirited drifter, as they travel across late-1940s America in search of experience and meaning.
UNDER THE LENS: ADAPTATION AND GARRETT HEDLUND
Adaptation: The challenge of adapting Kerouac’s stream-of-consciousness prose to the screen is handled with careful consideration by screenwriter Jose Rivera and director Walter Salles. The film captures the novel’s restless energy through a combination of handheld camera work and jazz-infused sequences that mirror Kerouac’s distinctive writing style. While some of the book’s more introspective moments are necessarily condensed, the film maintains the spirit of spontaneous adventure and spiritual seeking that made the novel a cornerstone of Beat Generation literature.
Garrett Hedlund: In what could be considered his breakthrough role, Hedlund delivers a magnetic performance as Dean Moriarty (based on Neal Cassady). He embodies the character’s charismatic recklessness and underlying vulnerability with remarkable depth. Hedlund captures Dean’s complicated nature – a man who is simultaneously charming and destructive, philosophical and carnal, loyal and unreliable. His performance is particularly notable in scenes where Dean’s facade cracks, revealing the lost soul beneath the confident exterior.
HIGHLIGHTS
- The cinematography by Eric Gautier beautifully captures the vastness of the American landscape and the intimate moments between characters
- The period detail is meticulously crafted, from the cars to the jazz clubs to the clothing
- The supporting cast, including Viggo Mortensen and Amy Adams, brings depth to even brief appearances
QUOTABLE QUOTE
Sal Paradise: “The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time.”
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
What drives us to leave behind the familiar in search of something undefined? Is the journey more important than the destination?
CONCLUSION
“On the Road” is an ambitious attempt to translate Kerouac’s influential novel to the screen, and while it doesn’t quite capture the raw, electric energy of the source material, it succeeds in other meaningful ways. The film excels in its visual representation of post-war America and the sense of limitless possibility that pervaded the era. Sam Riley provides a solid anchor as Sal Paradise, our observer and narrator, while Kristen Stewart brings surprising depth to Marylou, expanding the character beyond the novel’s somewhat limited portrayal.
However, the film does struggle with pacing issues, particularly in its middle section where the endless movement begins to feel repetitive rather than revolutionary. Some of the novel’s more philosophical underpinnings get lost in the translation to visual medium, making certain character motivations feel less developed than they could be.
Despite these shortcomings, “On the Road” manages to convey the essential spirit of Kerouac’s work – the yearning for authentic experience, the rejection of conventional values, and the bittersweet nature of freedom. The film works best when it leans into the sensory experience of the journey: the rhythm of the road, the smoky jazz clubs, the wild parties, and the quiet moments of connection between its characters.
While purists might debate its merits as an adaptation, the film stands as a thoughtful exploration of youth, friendship, and the eternal American urge to seek whatever lies beyond the next horizon. It’s a reminder that sometimes the most important journeys are the ones that have no clear destination.