A dropout from upper-class America picks up work along the way on oil rigs when his life isn't spent in a squalid succession of bars, motels, and other points of interest.A dropout from upper-class America picks up work along the way on oil rigs when his life isn't spent in a squalid succession of bars, motels, and other points of interest.A dropout from upper-class America picks up work along the way on oil rigs when his life isn't spent in a squalid succession of bars, motels, and other points of interest.
- Nominated for 4 Oscars
- 11 wins & 23 nominations total
- Elton
- (as Billy 'Green' Bush)
- Betty
- (as Sally Ann Struthers)
- Twinky
- (as Marlena Macguire)
- Spicer
- (as John Ryan)
- Junkie
- (uncredited)
- Baby
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- Trivia"Five Easy Pieces" refers to a book of piano lessons for beginners.
- GoofsWhen Bobby plays the piano for Catherine about three quarters through the movie, the music in front of him is clearly not what he is playing (Chopin's "Prelude in E Minor"). On one hand, this emphasizes his improvisational nature and rejection of the life prescribed to him by his class, but it also shows his musical prowess and memory. He reveals that the song was memorized when he later says "I picked the easiest piece I could think of".
- Quotes
Bobby: I'd like a plain omelette, no potatoes, tomatoes instead, a cup of coffee and wheat toast.
Waitress: [points at his menu] No substitutions.
Bobby: What do you mean? You don't have any tomatoes?
Waitress: Only what's on the menu. You can have a number two, a plain omelette, it comes with cottage fries and rolls.
Bobby: Yeah, I know what it comes with, but it's not what I want.
Waitress: Well, I'll come back when you make up your mind
Bobby: Wait a minute, I have made up my mind. I'd like a plain omelette, no potatoes on the plate, a cup of coffee and a side order of wheat toast.
Waitress: I'm sorry, we don't have any side orders of toast. I'll give you an English muffin or a coffee roll.
Bobby: What do you mean you don't make side orders of toast? You make sandwiches, don't you?
Waitress: Would you like to talk to the manager?
Palm Apodaca: Hey, mac...
Bobby: Shut up.
[to the waitress]
Bobby: You've got bread and a toaster of some kind?
Waitress: I don't make the rules.
Bobby: OK, I'll make it as easy for you as I can. I'd like an omelette, plain, and a chicken salad sandwich on wheat toast, no mayonnaise, no butter, no lettuce, and a cup of coffee.
Waitress: A number two, a chicken salad sand. Hold the butter, the lettuce, and the mayonnaise, and a cup of coffee. Anything else?
Bobby: Yeah, now all you have to do is hold the chicken, bring me the toast, give me a cheque for the chicken salad sandwich, and you haven't broken any rules.
Waitress: You want me to hold the chicken, huh?
Bobby: I want you to hold it between your knees.
[Palm Apodaca sniggers]
Waitress: [points at a sign behind her] You see that sign, sir? Yes, you'll all have to leave! I'm not taking any more of your smartness and sarcasm!
Bobby: You see this sign?
[he sweeps all the glasses off the table onto the floor]
- ConnectionsEdited into Citizen Cohn (1992)
- SoundtracksStand by Your Man
Written by Billy Sherrill (as B. Sherril) & Tammy Wynette (as T. Wynette)
Performed by Tammy Wynette
[Played over the opening titles]
This is also an unusual film because it doesn't have a traditional plot. Much of it spent just watching the man go through life. The main focus of the film, when it does occur, is Robert returning home to visit his family. The father is quite ill and it's obvious Robert does NOT want to visit and is only doing so out of obligation. But, guilted into this, he goes. There, you learn that the family is full of gifted musicians and intellectuals--and Robert is very ill-at-ease in this environment--and seeing these folks, it is understandable. They are about as unlike him as possible.
If a psychotherapist watched this film and wanted to form a diagnosis of the two main characters, they would probably see Robert as a relatively high functioning antisocial personality (meaning, his violations of laws and norms are usually NOT the sort to get him imprisoned) and Rayette as a Dependent Personality. Dependents NEED someone to love them--even if that person is abusive and distant. Like a whipped dog, they wait and hope to get an occasional bone tossed their way in the form of a kind word here or there. And, they are quite sad to see. Because these two were done so realistically, you have to admire the writing of this film.
Overall, a very well written film. In spots, it's VERY enjoyable (such as the famous diner scene) and in others, it's very painful. To carry it off, the actors (particularly Nicholson and Black) are at the top of their game. Also, the musical choices were wonderful. Playing all the low self-esteem Tammy Wynette songs (such as "Stand By Your Man") seem to be perfect to describe Rayette's life.
- planktonrules
- Jan 11, 2013
- Permalink
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Mi vida es mi vida
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $1,600,000 (estimated)