Five Easy Pieces

Jack Nicholson excels in Bob Rafelson’s vivid study of a middle-class musician rebelling against his family – and himself.

Nicholson is in top form as Bobby Dupea, an oil-rig worker adrift from his patrician family of classical musicians but returning home to visit an ailing father. Dilemmas abound for the torn, terminally detached protagonist, with Rafelson and writer Carole Eastman savouring the ironies of his evasive behaviour. Laszlo Kovács’ images and a terrific cast are the icing on a pleasingly tart cake.