Bob Rafelson, director and producer, passed away last Saturday at the age of 89.

There, in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and not long before the big three of the new American cinema (Coppola, Scorsese, Spielberg) really came into play, a group of friends began making their own films, far removed from the then Hollywood establishment. . At its center was Bob Rafelson, director and producer who passed away last Saturday at the age of 89. The gang first appeared in 1969 with Dennis Hopper’s inimitable film Easy Rider, starring Peter Fonda, Jack Nicholson and Bob Rafelson. He was, of course, already well known as the creator of the Monkees, the iconic rock band whose adventures were made into a TV series and (hell) movie called The Head in 1968. In 1970, Rafelson fell behind again. camera to direct what is arguably his greatest work. Five Easy Pieces also stars Jack Nicholson as an up-and-coming pianist who gives up everything for the life of an ordinary oilman. However, a coincidence will put him back in touch with his wealthy family, and things will get more complicated.

Rafelson manages to express the free, anarchic spirit of The Cavalier through a film that is more measured yet profound. And the “short” montage, moving from one scene to another without much explanation, stops only in certain episodes of the cinematic anthology, like Nicholson’s legendary order at the diner. The two (Rafelson and Nicholson) have worked together time and time again, from Marvin the Garden King, where the famous actor gives a director-led recital, to the remake of The Postman Always Knocks Twice at the beginning Rafelson himself will be discovered behind other hidden ” gems” such as Peter Bogdanovich’s “The Last Show”, as well as in the first steps of the later Hollywood giants we mentioned at the beginning.