In one of the first roles to define his onscreen persona in the eyes of audiences, Jack Nicholson plays Bobby Duprea, blue-collar worker on an oil field who spends most of his spare time with waitress girlfriend Rayette (Karen Black). On hearing that his father is seriously ill, Bobby goes to see him, Rayette in tow. Unbeknownst to her, Bobby comes from a privileged background and as
a child was a prodigious pianist, all of which he turned his back on for the life he currently lives. Bobby’s past and present collide, leaving him with an uncertain future. Director Bob Rafelson’s study of alienation became a cornerstone of the New Hollywood era.

The screening will be introduced by music & arts journalist and broadcaster Zara Hedderman.

Notes by Kevin Coyne