Big Sur (2013)

In the wake of his groundbreaking novel, On The Road, Jack Kerouac finds himself drowning in a sea of sudden fame, spiraling deep into a destructive lifestyle of drugs and alcohol. Once the dashing figurehead of the Beat Generation, Kerouac has been reduced to a mere shadow of his former glory, his spirit gnawed at by doubt and his body prematurely aged by indulgence. Plagued by existential questions concerning his talent, faith, and mortality, he abandons the frenetic energy of New York for the solitary peace of California. His destination is an isolated cabin amidst the primeval wilderness of Big Sur, his purpose - a desperate attempt to find redemption. Unfolding in the pivotal three weeks of August, 1960, what transpires is a terrifying yet enlightening journey. Kerouac finds fleeting moments of joy and beauty in the raw wilderness around him, yet the fractured state of his psyche prevents him from confronting his inner demons. He plunges into a chaotic whirlpool of paranoia, carnal desire, delirium tremens, sorrow, and insanity. This torrent of desperation culminates in a gripping, hallucinatory breakdown, a descent into darkness that threatens to consume him. Yet, Kerouac's dual nature wrestles with the shadows, and he emerges, albeit temporarily, from this abyss with a fragile sense of peace and hope. Big Sur is a haunting exploration of a tormented soul seeking salvation, a narrative that is as mesmerizing as it is harrowing, capturing the raw essence of a man at war with himself.

Big Sur is a drama movie featuring Kate Bosworth.

Big Sur is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy.

It is also possible to buy Big Sur on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Vudu and YouTube.