On the Road

This month sees the film release of Walter Salles' On the Road, an adaption of the classic Jack Kerouac novel written in 1955.

Sal Paradise (Sam Riley) ups sticks and ventures out on the journey towards that ever elusive American dream.  Along the way he encounters friendship, heartbreak and hardship and falls into the rhythm of the Beat that has come to signify that gritty jazz age. Chuck in a blitz of torn denim and roughed-up motors, lost in a haze of drugs and sex and you have one of the smoothest and enigmatic films of the year.

For all those who are feeling a little bit lost in the chaos of the new university year, escape into the stunning cinematography depicting the wide, open American landscape and be reassured that really noone knows where they are going, or where they will end up.

The Watershed (located in the heart of the city on the harbourside) is showing On the Road from this friday for the next two weeks.

And if you are still not feeling the urge to don your cooolest shades and head off into the sunset here is some Billlie Holiday to get you going...

A.P