Vanishing Point is a product of its time. It is an action-thriller wrapped in a more serious portrayal of the societal problems in America, with discussions of counterculture and anti-establishment beliefs. It successfully stands its ground next to such classics as Dennis Hopper’s Easy Rider, Bob Rafelson’s Five Easy Pieces, and Monte Hellman’s Two Lane Blacktop. Vanishing Point is now available on Blu-ray and DVD.
Richard C. Sarafian’s Vanishing Point is quite possibly the ultimate road movie, as it incorporates every single thematic and stylistic convention that characterises the genre. Made in 1971, during the dawn of disillusionment that would define the United States in the 1970s, the film perfectly captures and reflects the popular counterculture lifestyle of its time.
The plot of Vanishing Point is among the simplest in cinematic history – car delivery driver Kowalski (Barry Newman) bets his dealer that he will deliver a white 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T from Denver to San Francisco in less than two days. After eluding two police officers who have been after him for speeding, the film turns into a feature-length car chase, accompanied by some iconic music of the time. The pursuit dovetails with flashbacks and the police reading of Kowalski’s record, familiarising us with his past. Here, we learn that he is not only a Medal of Honour Vietnam War veteran, a former racecar driver, and a motorcycle racer, but also a former police officer.
A popular reading of the narrative is that Kowalski’s journey represented the rapid changes in America’s social decay and disillusionment. For example, he travels through several states and encounters various people while insisting on his freedom against the “establishment” until the last second. The picture the ride paints is incredibly pessimistic. Drugs are easy to access and almost essential to living your life; people are primarily unfriendly and only looking out for their selfish interests, racism is everywhere, and the police are amoral. The stability of the picture-perfect middle-class American life of the 1950s and 1960s is shattered before our eyes. Let alone the fact that Kowalski, a former police officer and war veteran, seems unable to find his place in the world and makes a living on temporary jobs with no real purpose or goal.
The film is often considered a great example of existentialism as it is apparent early on that Kowalski and the road travelled are just an allegory for the journey through life. There is no real reason for him to deliver the car to San Francisco apart from the bet that would make his latest amphetamine purchase free of charge. He just drives for the sake of driving, with no real purpose. His life and journey are not defined by his actions but rather by his complete freedom over them. He becomes a martyr for liberty as the pursuit is broadcast live on the radio by a blind DJ called Super Soul (Cleavon Little). Super Soul continues to encourage Kowalski to evade the police, referring to him as the “last American hero”, and the two form an inexplicable bond where the DJ seems to understand Kowalski’s reactions. In a way, Super Soul simultaneously becomes the narrator of the events and Kowalski’s conscience.
Vanishing Point is a product of its time. It is an action-thriller wrapped in a more serious portrayal of the societal problems in America, with discussions of counterculture and anti-establishment beliefs. It successfully stands its ground next to such classics as Dennis Hopper’s Easy Rider, Bob Rafelson’s Five Easy Pieces, and Monte Hellman’s Two Lane Blacktop. However, at times, it surpasses these with its incredible stunts and overall coolness.
Follow Us