Not a single character in any other film I have ever seen has invited my empathy like the character of Robert Eroica Dupea has. Will (Hugh Grant) from 'About A Boy' comes a distant second but, for me, Jack Nicholson embodies a complete sense of worthlessness that is unrivalled. I know how the poor sod feels...
shareI identify with him too.
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Wow! This is by far the most interesting and honest post I've ever read on imdb. It seems many of us can identify with Bobby to some degree. I have an ok job that pays ok, pretty lousy marriage to a computer addicted wife (I know the irony), the one compensation is I love my two kids and that's what keeps me going. I guess my point in all this is everyone that has posted here we all need to find something meaningful in our lives. I also have an innate intellectual curiosity so I'm always finding new things to focus my energy. Right now I would say its my interest in food and music. For those of us who feel like Bobby its important to find something inspiring whatever that might be cooking, working out, fighting global warming etc. Good luck to you all. It would be interesting to see a sequel made what happens to Bobby when he gets to Alaska.
Like your life has gone and still is going nowhere? Oh, yes. Great post!
shareI think it's hard to like Dupea's character for those who do not identify with him. The movie forced me to introspect on a lot of occasions, like when he quit his job, the scene in the bowling alley, and many other scenes as well. I can't say I liked the character because such fate should not befall a man, but I found some similarity with the world around me and was horrified at times. It was like looking in a mirror.
Don't you talk sense to me.
The character of Bobby Dupea is very complex. On one hand, he is not a very likable character when shown how he does not treat Rayette, his girlfriend, well. Also, he is a drifter and does not fit in society. However, he is a complicated character. He comes from a very gifted musical family and it is implied that he was a child prodigy. It is worth noting the title FIVE EASY PIECES is a reference to some piano pieces that Bobby Dupea supposedly played as a child. At the same time, it seemed like Bobby did not feel comfortable no matter where he went. He seemed just as uncomfortable around his musical family as he did around the oil-rig where he worked and his acquaintances there. At the same time, as unlikable as the character is, I think many people can identify with Bobby Dupea because of frustrations they have and how certain dreams of theirs never came to fruition. Also, there are people who have drifted in life for one reason or another.
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Great question. I identify with Bobby Dupea too - maybe that's strange because I'm a woman, but I do. I get his anger and his alienation. I also see in him someone with great potential (artistic?) who squandered it, who did not give enough respect to the talents his family instilled in him, and I see that in myself - not to say there's no possibility of redemption (she hopes).
shareIt is. But never felt like him, Just when he hams it about "what is music" his Vegas "story". Cracks me up. Played at this tony piano recital as as a tot "November Rain". Everyone was so moved. Lost Brahms? What is that? They asked. No, Rose. Axl. I really liked playing that song on the piano.
shareAfter watching this film I'm pretty much convinced I AM Robert Dupea.
"My car is outside."
"Naturally."
The first time I saw this film, I thought "This guy reminds me a lot of myself." The main difference between Bobby and me is that Bobby is an intelligent man, whereas I am not.
As I type this, I am 27 years old and still do not have a plan for my life. I have no plans for the future whatsoever. I keep going from job to job, usually getting canned before the proverbial 90 days of probation is up. Because of this, it would be foolish of me to attempt to start a family since I can't even hold down a job. I don't even entertain the thought of having my own children because I can't picture myself as a father. I can barely take care of myself.
Like Bobby, I find little enjoyment in life anymore. Any joy I do find is very short-lived and sporadic.
One very interesting thing about this film is when it was released. Back in 1970, there were no cell phones and the internet wasn't even thought of. Can you imagine how disconnected Bobby would feel today in 2013? How full of s*** everyone is? I also wonder how he'd feel about the music of today....
Bobby is seemingly mean-spirited throughout the film, and this is another difference between his character and myself. I am often told by the people around me that I am one of the nicest people they know. The truth is that sometimes I wish I wasn't so nice as people typically take advantage of that.
All in all, Five Easy Pieces is one of my favourite films and one of Jack Nicholson's finest performances.
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