Fuad_Ramses_IV When I want to think about definitive hippie movies, Psych-Out is the first that comes to mind. It's a totally 60s flavored film that explores the psychedelic angle of the 60s history, fusing a complex narrative with trippy visuals and an impressive technical effort. And it even has The Strawberry Alarm Clock.The cast does a great job, but the obvious alluring standout is Jack Nicholson, in the days of his youth. He was involved in what I consider an unofficial drug/counterculture trilogy in 1967's "The Trip" (as writer), this film, and 1969's "Easy Rider", though he has a prominent starring role in this film, playing Stoney, a easy-going hippie in San Fransisco being soured by the illusion of fame and fortune, though this is only one aspect of an interwoven series of colliding events.Coming into this with a childlike innocence is Susan Strasberg's Jenny, a deaf runaway, who gives a solid performance, and with an interesting twist to narrative complexities as it mixes asides in and out of the casual dialogues, causing you to re-analyze how some of the dialogue is being interpreted. But that's just one little facet in a film that has a lot going on in it.Obviously, it was a time of change, and you can't have a film condoning drugs, but you don't want to be too conservative if your audience is in that culture. Psych-Out blends the balance perfectly. It has a lot of ideology for a high and hungry mind, but enough of a compelling story to go along with for sober realistic minds too. It seems so definitive because it really does have everything in it. Sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll. Primarily it's a drama of a distressed romance, but there's also scenes of suspense, further influenced by funny, creepy, and tense drug tripping that all, in one form or another, delves into the psychology of the era, and what really matters. Like any good movie, it's a clash of perspectives, looking to find the right balance, and this movie finds it.

MartinHafer This is a film that I had absolutely no interest in seeing. However, a friend offered me the DVD and said I would like it--even if I already had seen and hated THE TRIP (which was also on the same disc). Well, I must say that I was very surprised as I did actually enjoyed it--probably because viewers can see what they want in this odd film. For those who look back longingly to the 60s and its drug culture, the film is like a glorious flashback. And, conversely, for those who felt the late 60s went way overboard and glamorized drug use, then they will probably see the film as a having a good anti-drug message! Imagine, two opposite camps enjoying the same film for entirely different reasons! Oddly, this "hip" film was produced by Dick Clark--a man who described himself in the documentary included with this film ("Love & Haight") as a "total square". Also, it was very unusual to note that all the lead actors were in their 30s--quite a bit older than the actual hippies of the day.The film begins with Susan Strasberg arriving in San Francisco to find her brother. However, it seems as if he's just disappeared and so she ends up shacking up in a wreck of a home with Jack Nicholson and his friends--many of which are in Jack's band. Here, there is lots of free love and drugs as they all dig being in a happening city. While Susan does look for her brother, it's all rather episodic--with lots of exceptional music (by the Strawberry Alarm Clock) presented in a way almost like a series of music videos. Eventually, she does find her brother (played in a bit part by Bruce Dern) but tragedy strikes thanks to LSD and other mind-altering drugs.For an American-International drug film, the production had amazingly good production values. And, if you don't particularly like the plot, you can look at the whole thing as a small time capsule of the era. This would make an excellent double-feature with ALICE'S RESTAURANT. Worth seeing, that's for sure.Finally, as Ms. Strasberg played a lady who had hysterical deafness, there was one odd note. When the bands were playing she said that she didn't dance because she was deaf. Perhaps hysterically deaf people don't, but deaf people in general love to dance--particularly if there's a strong bass--which this rock music had in spades!

oskil Psych-Out, yeah, that's a pretty accurate title for an art movie of this kind.I saw this movie with a couple of friends, and we all had a ball. If I would see this movie again, it would be under the influence of something a bit more "psych", although some scenes in the movie could freak you out..If you like new "stoner movies" like Half Baked and such, I recommend you to watch this movie. Because I feel that this movie has probably been an inspiration to those movies. What I'm talking about is the dialog. The camera-job on the other hand, is a work of art i've never seen before. They have managed to make it look like a documentary, which was good for me that's born in the 80s and never got to experience the crazy 60s in San Fransisco. But for heavenly waters, Do Not Watch This Movie like it have a good storyline, No!! Just watch it completely wasted and enjoy the ride!

preppy-3 A 17 year old deaf mute (Susan Stasberg!?!) tries to find her brother (Bruce Dern) in 1968 San Franciscos Haight-Ashbury area. A musician (Jack Nicholson) and his friends try to help her.The plot is unbelievable from the word "go" and, despite location shooting in Haight-Ashbury, this is a very Hollywoodized look at hippies. Everybody is so healthy, friendly, helpful and they live in colorful, spotlessly clean huge houses happily. That was NOT the way it was--any documentary on the 60s could tell you that. Realism aside, this is one of AIP's best pictures.The dialogue is VERY dated (and hysterically funny) as are the situations, but the film never stops moving, is shot in deep rich color, has good acting (considering) and is never once dull. Check out a most interesting "funeral" in the film and a very funny sex sequence. However, at the end, it gets VERY serious and has a depressing ending. Too bad--it's totally at odds with the rest of the film. Still--well worth seeing.It also stars Dean Stockwell (who has the best lines) and Garry Marshall (!!!) in a bit as a cop! Produced by Dick Clark!