Five Easy Pieces

Jack Nicholson's first starring role after his breakthrough in EASY RIDER cemented his career as one of Hollywood's most durable stars. He plays a blue-collar laborer who is actually from a wealthy family and plays piano at concert-level, yet has dropped out of society. When his father suffers a stroke, he is compelled to return home and face his family once again. Karen Black is superb as his motor-mouthed girlfriend.  Directed by Bob Rafelson and written by Carole Eastman (under the pseudonym Adrien Joyce), this strong drama cemented BBS's reputation as the progressive production company of the early 1970's, though the movie may be best remembered for Nicholson's legendary coffee shop tirade involving a chicken salad sandwich.