Easy Rider Comparative Essay

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

two films of Easy Rider and Total Recall, costume is a major feature and is used vigorously to implant visual symbolism, which then accentuates the differences between the Protagonists and Antagonists. In Easy Rider and Total Recall both lead characters clothing style does not change throughout the film. An example of this in Easy Rider is at the beginning of the movie, the lead character (Captain America played by Peter Fonda) combines motorbike leathers with an American flag motif printed on the back of his jacket and decaled on his helmet alongwith with his motorbike petrol tank painted red, white and blue. Billy, (the second lead character in Easy Rider) is an example of American symbolism portrayed by wearing Native American traditional dress.
This mix of leathers with patriotic symbols such as the American flag, Native American Indian traditional dress, and matched with an unkempt look and long hair tell the audience that these easy riders are non-conforming but unassertive men of peace adrift in a society they find conformist. (Champlain 25) The reason why audiences gravitated to the film Easy Rider and why it is important for the older generation in Hollywood to at least acknowledge this film is, “It…illuminates his conviction that in order to foster empathy in others, the artist, like the responsible person in society in general, must cultivate the capacity for empathy in himself” Zeami (cited in Matthews, 2013 p. 46)
In Total Recall the character Douglas Quaid, (played by lead actor Arnold Schwarzenegger), is differentiated from the real villain of Total Recall (Vilos Cohaagen) by dressing in simple work clothing to represent a construction worker.

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

Mars.
I think that the performance of Jack Nicholson in Easy Rider, even though a minor role, was a much stronger performance than Arnold Schwarzenegger in Total Recall, however there is a great difference in styles and is different in each film. The definition of performance emerges around the ideas of the performance whether it is in reality, whether in front of a camera, or on a stage is an action done for someone if even the person is the performer him- or herself (p.129-30)
Jack Nicholson’s performance although smaller as a role than Arnold Schwarzenegger’s was ‘namely, fostering empathy through the process of emotional identification occurring between actor and audience in the performance experience and what continued to guide his sense of…purpose to the end.’ Kannami (cited in Matthews, 2013 p. 32) As Jack Nicholson’s character George Hanson was supposed to represent “Old George” or the “good old American boy” he was used to bridge the gap between old Hollywood and new Hollywood by showing the audience that even if you were like old George you could get in trouble just as much as the bikies.
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s performance in Total Recall is realistically able to be described by ‘… the “vessel” is to serve the audience...is the intent that pervades the performer’s power to excite…to creates the seeds and flowers of every attraction in performance” Hare cited in (Matthews, 2013 p. 43), as he is more commonly known as an action hero, as the Terminator in the Terminator Franchise among others, and for comedy, such as Kindergarten Cop, Twins, and Junior among others, than he is for his serious roles.