Backroads
Backroads

Backroads

1977Movie61 minEnglish

Two strangers – one white, one black – steal a car in western NSW and head for the coast. Jack is abrasive, cunning and disparaging about Aborigines. Gary doesn’t really care – he just wants to escape. En route, they pick up Gary’s Uncle Joe, a French hitchhiker and a young woman who’s running away. Their petty crimes escalate as they go, heading towards disaster.

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IMDb6.5/10
Director: Michael RoemerGenres: Drama

Plot Summary

A middle-aged woman, feeling unfulfilled in her marriage, embarks on a journey of self-discovery. She encounters a charismatic older man, leading to a complex and evolving relationship. The film explores themes of loneliness, desire, and the search for meaning later in life, set against a backdrop of rural isolation.

Critical Reception

Backroads received a mixed but generally positive reception, with critics praising its mature exploration of complex relationships and its nuanced performances, particularly from Sally Kellerman and Melvyn Douglas. Some found the pacing deliberate, but the film was largely recognized for its thoughtful portrayal of emotional landscapes.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its sensitive portrayal of adult relationships and emotional depth.
  • Sally Kellerman's performance was frequently highlighted as a standout.
  • Some viewers found the narrative slow-moving, though the performances compensated for it.

Google audience: Audience reviews are scarce, but those available tend to appreciate the film's mature themes and character-driven narrative, viewing it as a thoughtful, albeit understated, drama.

Fun Fact

The film was noted for its departure from typical Hollywood narratives of the time, focusing on a more introspective and less conventionally dramatic approach to its subject matter.

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