Easy Rider Comparative Essay

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I viewed Easy Rider, a film by Dennis Hopper, and Total Recall, a film by Paul Verhoeven- and noticed that although both films appear quite different in topic, they share the same common themes of gaining freedom and being a hero, by rejecting the status quo and the general wider society as is the case in the films. I agree with Bassnet (cited in Marinetti, 2013 p.315) that by acknowledging the force of performance and engaging with notions of performativity in particular, can open new spaces for developing and to be more aware of the issues of both power and identity within film and how society receives films and is able to change by accepting cultural norms presented in films. The essence of the films. In Easy Rider the protagonists are their own heroes, who are a group of motorcycle riders who appear to be free-loving, peaceful and do not want trouble, however due to the way they dress, they are seen as stereotypical bikies and are deemed outsiders. In Total Recall the lead actor Arnold Schwarzenegger (Douglas Quaid), is accepted in his general community until he unwittingly disturbs the status quo, by going to Rekall, a company that implants memories in their clients’ heads. In comparing the …show more content…

In a scene during Total Recall Douglas Quaid escapes multiple times and wraps a wet towel around his head to disguise the location of the tracking bug in his skull until he has a chance to remove it, this is reminiscent of conspiracy theorists and their tinfoil hats (Kelley, M, Business Insider, 2013) In comparing another scene in Easy Rider and Total Recall both lead characters are conversing on conspiracy theories, in Easy Rider the theme is UFO's and in Total Recall it is that his entire life was a lie and it has something to do with

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