Typical Over-rated '70s "Character" Study Maybe it is just me, but I consider the 1970's to be a lost decade for the arts, whether it be music, film, etc. Anybody out there still listening to disco? Anybody out there buying shag carpeting and paneling for their homes? Anybody out their wife-swapping? This is typical 70's fare: Free, casual sex, irresponsible individuality, "social issues" (anti-pollution and anti-establishment in this one), and the lack of a plot or enough character development to understand the lead character's motivations, or to a least sympathize with their actions.
This film does have its positives. Jack Nicholson as usual gives his typical "Jack" performance, which are always enjoyable (Jack is great at being Jack; don't get me wrong, I think he is a good actor playing Jack, just not great. I will watch anything with him, in fact, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is my favorite film. I just feel that to be a great actor, you have to be able to play characters other than yourself). The Script, most of all the dialogue, is very good. All of the actors give good performances.
Unfortunately, there is no true plot. Jack's character, Bobby, is a skilled musician from an upscale musical family who turns his back on all of this to work on an oil rig. He is an unlikable character: he will sleep with anyone regardless of their relationship to him and in spite of his live-in girlfriend and shows no respect to his family, girlfriend, superiors, even friends.
The film never explains his decisions. The film leaves you totally blind at the end as to where Jack will go or do next. In fact the film's end conclusively determines that Bobby is not a likable person, let alone understandable.
As stated before, this is a typical 70's movie. Lots of dialogue, little plot, not entertaining (with the exception of the cafe scene, which I will not remark on due to its popularity in film lore), and no conclusion. For 70's fare, stick to Biopics (Patton), Action (Bullitt, The Getaway), Thrillers (Godfather's), and Horror (Exorcist, Omen). Avoid the "meaningful" social dramas such as this, Network, Last Tango In Paris, etc. While these are well scripted and acted, the plots tend to be non-existent.