For all the 'realism' of 1970s American cinema, many of the ones I've seen have been conventional narrative dramas underneath the gritter cinematographic techniques, to be judge depending on that context than as being real to life. This was extremely tedious and ultimately worthless as a drama for me...that opening monologue on the other does deserve praise away from the rest of it.

For lack of more nuanced criticism, it was just boring.

Movie 800. Jack, Ellen Burstyn and Bruce Dern are all superb. I think its better than Five Easy Pieces.

Things bwcome dangerous when a dreamer oversteps his authority

Seemed rather pointless. One of the more notable casting switcheroos (kinda like Neighbors). Scatman (Benjamin?) was good in an unusual role for him--nice and ruthless.

Under-appreciated drama, probably due to the fact that Nicholson's character is not what audiences had come to expect from this actor.

Very disappointing as the follow-up to Five Easy Pieces, but not bad.