Q + A
My thanks to everyone who posted interesting & intelligent remarks in their reviews. Those encourage me to view entire movie when I have time! I've only seen so far the first 7th part and last bit online, after I noticed film on someones featured list "A bunch of films from 1970" (or some such title).
One often asked question I know part of the answer to is mysterious "6 AM
" of title: I noticed dashboard clock in Adam's car as he takes off on his adventure says 6 AM (it's a dial clock not digital, so may seem like some other kind of car gauge to those now used to digital). Perhaps it is 6 PM as he drives off (into the sunset?) at end of film.
Someone already commented that the famous carton of vanilla ice cream seems a symbol of bland life. Perhaps the parting wedding (batchelor's party?) gift from Adam's co-workers (a box of Spartan condoms) might be symbolic neutoring (especially along with "hen-pecked man in apron" images.
Might Adam's name be symbolic? An Adam looking for a Garden of Eden, a Paradise he can not regain?
This film intrigued me perhaps as I've been mulling over dreams of nostalgic road trips: I've met publisher of book on Route 66 (who has traveled Mother Road countless times), who might give talk at library this summer (Summer Reading Program them for Adults is "Novel Destinations" and Young Adult is "You Are Here").
I've been reading books about fictional road trips like John Green's "Paper Towns" (another title by same author is something like "Finding Alaska"); just finished "Crash Into Me"--a surprisingly sweet novel about 4 teens who go on a trip to visit celebrity suicide sites before they vow to complete their own. "Postcards from Nowhere" is another book focused on young characters, yet has something to say to adults. Any suggestions of other "Road Trip" books or movies I might try? Or ones about endearing 1950, 60's small towns?
I'd prefer watching or reading something on the lighter side as I've been feeling down, in a rut--maybe due to gloomy weather or anniversary of a loved one's passing (one reason I'd try to imagine travelling to a cosier past a la BRIGADOON--tho more like the time of Lucy & Desi in film "The Long Long Trailer". Actually, I'd likely get better ideas posting my request elsewhere...but will leave this bit in just in case!
(Recently read chick lit double novel "Around the Bend/The Other Wife" by Shirley Jump which started off amusing, but both include several dear departeds, so "Thelma & Louise", which may have inspired author, seems more light-hearted and feel-good in comparison... tho I am also thinking of finally reading "Grapes of Wrath" or at least Steinbeck's "Travels with Charley".
Male-centered road stories (Keroac's "On the Road" for instance) are difficult for me to identify with; I did get hooked when seeing road trip portion of Latin American telenovela in which a brave and smart young woman who befriends two teen girls; together they demonstrate courage and intelligence in defeating villains. I hope planned version by NBC a la "Ugly Betty", will be true to that spirit. I also loved bus in book "Crow Girl"--have books, will travel!
Sorry for sort of rambling all over the map--I also wanted to point out the probably coincidental likeness between "Adam at 6 AM" and animated "Cars" featuring character Lightning McQueen. Seeing Steve McQueen listed as producer of the older movie brought the latter to mind. After reading McQueen's bio on Wikipedia, I'm not so sure about someone's interpretation that 1970 film shows Steve's hatred or scorn of small town life and values; sounds to me more the other way around, or at least he respected early foster father over mother's husbands. I'll try reading some other bios to get more of the picture.
P.S. Somewhere someone asked about what college was used for opening credits of ADAM. Credits were clipped from end at site where I saw film posted--perhaps someone has complete movie on tape to check? It looks very similar to part of Cal State Dominguez Hills in Carson, California (especially library building and those close to it, multi-story structures sunk in sort of slanted pits whose sides are covered with plants, with lots of flights of steps.
CSUDH buildings were planned in 1960's by architect A(rchibald) Quincy Jones (not to be confused with black music entrepeneur) who was noted for his "modernism" style and use of green belts. Article on him in wikipedia lists some of his other 1960's work, including University of California, Irvine; Wikipedia article on UCI includes part on "Media References" listing some films & TV shows filmed there. Maybe some of those might show modern art sculptures shown in opeing credits of "Adam at 6:30 AM".