MovieChat Forums > The Hitcher (1986) Discussion > Why is this a classic? I don't get it

Why is this a classic? I don't get it

posted 16 years ago by MrsStarbuck
56 replies | jump to latest

I watched this film for the first time the other week, after having heard for years how much of a 'classic' it is. So I think it would be fair to say that I had fairly high expectations. Now maybe that's where I went wrong because I was just amazed at how bad it really was.

The plot was totally ridiculous and made no sense. Instead of feeling any tension or drama I was laughing all the way through at how every event just got more stupid and overblown and ridiculous.

Rutger Hauer is always a pleasure to watch, so I'll give it that. And it's always nice to see Jeffrey DeMunn :)

Maybe my problem is that I only watched it now, instead of back in the 80's when it was made? I think it would be fair to say that in general people expect a lot more from films these days, in terms of plot and script and character development etc. (I mean, some of my absolute favourite films from the 80's would be laughed out of the cinema if they were made these days).

I dunno, maybe the people who consider this film such a 'classic' can explain to me why? What did I miss? Because reading some of the posts on this board I feel like a saw a completely different film.

[–] tiguilherman 11 years ago

It's got alot of imperfections as a film itself, and alot of laughable implausible moments. But truth be told, it's sense of style is mindblowing for people who lived in the America of the 80's. Or for those (myself) who wish they had.
If this vibe's not your cup of tea then you are gonna hate it.
I have shown it to alot of friends who had the same opinion of you.

Your loss anyway! hahaha...
Just kidding.

But yeah, that's the general idea in my opinion.

[–] 11 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Iron_Eagle74 10 years ago

Maybe my problem is that I only watched it now, instead of back in the 80's when it was made? I think it would be fair to say that in general people expect a lot more from films these days, in terms of plot and script and character development etc. (I mean, some of my absolute favourite films from the 80's would be laughed out of the cinema if they were made these days).

Actually, "these days" movies lack plot, script, and character development. I don't know what you're smoking. Everything now is about CGI and 3D. They don't care about storytelling anymore.

[–] 10 years ago

[deleted]

[–] smithgdwg-164-181238 10 years ago

Must be a Happy Madison fan...

[–] decimation_in_time 10 years ago

I think the greatness of this film is -

1) Rutger Hauer's acting. He's so terrifyingly calm and unnerving, it certainly got to me.

2)Tension and this nagging fear that the villain always knows where the hero is and the hero can't do anything about it.

3) Little to no gore(ok the finger scene was awful) but overall so much atmosphere and so compelling with hardly any blood like you have in modern films.

If you didn't like this because you feel it's old try Joyride.

[–] BeatlesBabies 9 years ago

I actually just finished watching this movie and I thought it was fantastic. I basically agree with what ⬆️ said but you can not beat the scene when Howell and Hauer are sitting together in a booth near the end. Gave me the shivers.

Life is nothing without a little chaos to make it interesting.

[–] CCRider01 9 years ago

This film is a classic because it was terrific (suspenseful and original) back in 1986, and still holds up today. All it needs is a good BluRay release to replace the awful DVD transfer, in order to fully "modernize" the film.

People in general expect more today with regard to plot, script, and character development? Ha funny joke. If anything the masses are less discerning today. Even recently lauded Oscar winners, such as Gravity are wafer thin on plot, script and character development. And don't get me started on the absurd amount of branding that takes place today, such as all the script and plot challenged comic book flicks, which are churned out to an insatiable audience that can't seem to get enough of grown men and woman wearing tights and capes, or films such as The Fast & Furious franchise that despite having wafer thin plot, script, and character development, becoming multi billion dollar money making machines.

[–] davidboy21 9 years ago

I also could not believe how bad this film was. It's nothing to do with when it was made. Loads of my favourite films were made in the 80's. John Carpenter is one of my favourite directors. He knows how to create tension. There was no tension in this film, mainly due to the plot being so ridiculous. Why do people like it, I just don't get it? Weird.

"So, are you gonna kill me Snake?"
"I'm too tired. Maybe later."

[–] [deleted] a year ago

If you can't appreciate the tension, cinematography, editing, OST, acting performances and action sequences you're an absolute buffoon.

[–] [deleted] a year ago

Stick to Michael Bay movies, okay?