Big Sur (2013)

A recounting of Jack Kerouac's three sojourns to the cabin in Big Sur owned by his friend, poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti.

Director:

Michael Polish

Writers:

Michael Polish (screenplay), Jack Kerouac (novel)

Stars:

Jean-Marc Barr, Kate Bosworth, Josh Lucas

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jean-Marc Barr	...	Jack Kerouac
Kate Bosworth	...	Billie
Josh Lucas	...	Neal Cassady
Radha Mitchell	...	Carolyn Cassady
Anthony Edwards	...	Lawrence Ferlinghetti
Balthazar Getty	...	Michael McClure
Patrick Fischler	...	Lew Welch
Stana Katic	...	Lenora
Henry Thomas	...	Philip Whalen
John Robinson	...	Paul Smith
Jasper Polish	...	Vulture Girl
Vanessa Ross	...	Lady Dining
Richard Conti	...	Cabbie
Natasha Goss	...	Party Girl
Jeffrey T Ferguson	...	Bar Patron

Storyline

Sudden fame and a self-destructive lifestyle were taking a toll on Jack Kerouac's mind and body following the unparalleled success of the groundbreaking novel, On The Road. Once the handsome literary maverick and hero of the Beat Generation, Kerouac now sees only a vestige of his former self, ravaged by alcohol and drugs, aged beyond his years and tormented by self-doubt. Questioning his talent, his faith, and his mortality, Kerouac leaves New York for California, on a quest for redemption at an isolated, fog-banked cabin in the primitive landscape of the Big Sur woods. What ensues in those fateful 3 weeks of August, 1960, is both terrifying and revelatory. While Kerouac is able to find beauty and elation in his surroundings, the dichotomy of his psyche renders him unable to face his demons alone. He sets off on a visceral collision course of paranoia, sex, delirium tremens, misery and madness. His desperation culminates in an intense, hallucinatory breakdown, but the duality of his ...

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Plot Keywords:

big sur | cabin | beat generation | poet | place name in title | 

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Taglines:

Some souls never stop searching.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some sexuality, nudity and language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 November 2013 (USA)

Also Known As:

Művésztelep

Filming Locations:

Big Sur, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$16,835, 3 November 2013, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$33,621, 15 November 2013

Company Credits

Production Co:

3311 Productions, Troy Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

81 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

When Jack is travelling in the car talking about alcohol you can see modern vehicles instead of 1950's cars.

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Quotes

Jack Kerouac: A man needs truth like a machine needs oil.

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Connections

Referenced in Chelsea Lately: Episode #7.75 (2013)

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Soundtracks

Tiger Rag
Performed by Charlie Parker
Written by Nick LaRocca, Edwin B. Edwards, Henry Ragas, Tony Sbarbaro, and Larry Shields (aka The Original Dixieland Jazz Band)
Courtesy of ESP-Disk', Ltd
By Arrangement with Fine Gold Music

User Reviews

Gorgeous scenery

I think it is fair to warn people that the telling factor on whether you will enjoy this film or not is your relationship with Jack Kerouac and the writers of that time and crowd. The more you enjoy Kerouac's writing the more you will enjoy this film which has remained true to him and his words. If you don't enjoy Kerouac or are not familiar with him, then you might be tempted to walk out, or pass out with boredom.

M. David Mullen's cinematography is spectacular and the Big Sur coast is stunning even on a bad day. But for the average viewer, this is a film with not much of a story or character development and an often irritating narration (Kerouac's words) that, depending on your love of Kerouac will come across as either evidence of his genius or delusional in it's presumption of profundity.