Thanks to the source material, On the Road remains generally engaging through-out its 2 hour length. However, for the same reason it ends up episodic and lacks structure. We don't get a sense of what the 20-something Beatniks are rebelling against so it lacks the substance it was perhaps trying to convey. Cinematography is great and the acting ranges from good (Riley, Stewart) to great (Hedland). Hedland effortlessly brings Dean Moriaty to the screen and is the real star of the film (even though Sal Paradise narrates).

Some things just plainly do not work - like the odd and out of place Steve Buscemi cameo and the sub-plot revolving around Carlo Marx.

Overall a decent adaptation but could have been much better.

Grade: B-

This was a dull, pretentious mess. I had a similar problem with it that I did with Beasts Of The Southern Wild, in that I absolutely hated every single main character. I can't identify at all with the whole 'bohemian-hipster' style of life every character seems to strive for here and their actions frustrated me to no end. I felt awful for characters played by Kirsten Dunst and Elisabeth Moss who kept having to put up with them. A lot of really great actors are wasted in incredibly small roles (Amy Adams has maybe 5 lines), and Sam Riley isn't a very appealing lead. Garrett Hedlund was great despite my complete dislike for his character, it's easily the best performance I've seen from him. Kristen Stewart was just there. She actually didn't even have that much to do, which makes it all the more surprising that IFC was pushing so hard for an Oscar nomination for her. I thought she sold one emotional scene well but was horrible in another (when Dean leaves them in California). It's a forgettable performance though. The film is also reasonably well-photographed, but goes on forever. I couldn't wait for it to end. C

What about it struck you as pretentious?