This film is part of Rentals
On the Road
Walter Salles’ vibrant adaptation of Jack Kerouac’s seminal novel follows three youths from the beat generation as they traverse America.
Director: Walter Salles
Overview
Walter Salles’ vibrant adaptation of Jack Kerouac’s seminal novel follows three youths from the beat generation as they traverse the different landscapes of America. Sal Paradise (Control’s Sam Riley) has the pen and paper, but is lacking in inspiration. That is, until he meets the passionate and fearless young couple Dean and Marylou (Garrett Hedlund, Kristen Stewart). They have a hunger of taking risks, seeing more, and living their lives. Together the three drive across the country, meet fascinating characters (played by Amy Adams, Viggo Mortensen, and more), and form their own unhinged ideal of the American dream.
Jack Kerouac was the voice of the beat generation in the 20th century, and it’s with boldness and beautiful charisma that filmmaker Walter Salles tackles his dynamic novel. The ensemble cast is committed and illuminating – especially Stewart, in one of her first post-Twilight roles. She captures the generation’s verve and sensuality, bringing an edge but also vulnerability to the role. On the Road is a film that reaffirms the adage: it’s not where you’re going that matters, but how you get there.
Contains strong sex and drug use, and strong language
Related
Lean on Pete Lean on Pete
Drama 2018 122 mins Director: Andrew Haigh
The ravishing fourth feature from Andrew Haigh (45 Years, Weekend) sees a boy and a horse embark on a Huckleberry Finn-esque journey across America in search of home.
Las acacias Las acacias
Road movie 2011 83 mins Director: Pablo Giorgelli
Pablo Giorgelli's debut is a slow, touching Argentinian road-movie about a quiet trucker warming to a woman and child he reluctantly gives a lift to
Sightseers Sightseers
Comedy 2012 88 mins Director: Ben Wheatley
Young lovers Chris and Tina turn their first holiday together into a rural killing spree in Ben Wheatley's priceless black comedy.
North of Vortex North of Vortex
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1992 55 mins Director: Constantine Giannaris
A gay poet, a bisexual sailor and a straight waitress embark on a trip through an American desert landscape in this languid, woozy road movie.
Control Control
Biopic 2007 122 mins Director: Anton Corbijn
The life story of Ian Curtis, the tortured singer of Joy Division who suffered epilepsy and crippling self-doubt, filmed in stunning monochrome.
Sometimes Always Never Sometimes Always Never
Comedy 2019 91 mins Director: Carl Hunter
Bill Nighy, Sam Riley and Alice Lowe star in this stylish and heartfelt comedy-drama about a Scrabble-obsessed tailor searching for a lost son.
Brighton Rock Brighton Rock
Crime 2011 111 mins Director: Rowan Joffe
Rowan Joffe's adaptation of Graham Greene’s famous novel brings the doomed love story between Pinkie Brown (Sam Riley) and Rose (Andrea Riseborough) back to the screen with grit and panache.
Timestalker Timestalker
Comedy 2024 89 mins Director: Alice Lowe
Alice Lowe's time-jumping fantasy rom-com is a colourful, darkly funny treat.
South: Sir Ernest Shackleton's Glorious Epic of the Antarctic South: Sir Ernest Shackleton's Glorious Epic of the Antarctic
Documentary 1919 81 mins Silent Director: Frank Hurley
An extraordinary story of survival in the wastes of Antarctica.
Night Courier (Mandoob) Night Courier (Mandoob)
Comedy 2023 112 mins Director: Ali Kalthami
A desperate delivery driver gets caught up in the dark underworld of Riyadh in Ali Kalthami’s gripping, pitch-black satire.
The Ballymurphy Precedent The Ballymurphy Precedent
Documentary 2018 108 mins Director: Callum Macrae
John Pilger's film on the conflict in Northern Ireland is a skilful mix of investigative journalism, documentary storytelling and reflections on contemporary history.
Utopia Utopia
Documentary 2013 111 mins Director: John Pilger and Alan Lowery
John Pilger's portrayal of the oldest continuous human culture is also an investigation into a suppressed colonial past, and rapacious present.
The Coming War on China The Coming War on China
Documentary 2016 113 mins Director: John Pilger
John Pilger’s prescient 60th film for ITV is both a warning and an inspiring story of resistance.