Lost in America [1985]

After losing his job, David decides to cash out - and wander the country with his wife, Linda, only to discover it's easier said than done.

This is a quintessential tale of over-excess in the 1980's - where everyone feels they deserve more than what they've got - and they THINK if they can't get it - they'd rather have nothing. I'm a big fan of Albert Brooks - I really enjoy his humor - it's self-defacing and reflective in a good way. Brooks plays pretty much the same role in just about any of his films - he's got a sense of optimism but still quite neurotic about it. Brooks' energy is matched quite well by his co-star Julie Hagerty - who is mousy, neurotic but it turns out a little less as grounded than Brooks. Brooks' direction was good - but lingered on in certain scenes and is very dialogue based - that I felt that the ending was kind of sudden and a quick and easy write off of the little adventure they took.

The obsession with the film EASY RIDER was a bit overdone - as I'm not a fan of the free-spirit motorcycle film - but it makes sense that EASY RIDER is the thesis in part of this film. In the grand scope of this film - I feel it's successfully covers the wasted promise that is America - and had me in certain ways comparing it to FEAR & LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS more than EASY RIDER. It's also the thesis as to why though many of the worker bees - who may want to drop-out of the work force and be free - simply cannot.

It's a good movie - but only just a bit better than average - I'm giving it a 4 out of 5.