Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man

Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man is the embodiment of all that reigns in American pastime cinema. The first portion of the film is fueled on the long roads of patriotism. We open to a biker awakened next to a beautiful naked woman grabbing all his belonging, most of which are cigarettes, keys, and lighter. He lights his cigarette in hand to his scarred reflection being illuminated by fireworks.


Most of their journey is met with hilarious racial stereotypes. We have the Indians who flock to the bar as if some light attracted them. Of course, they also sport denim and feathers. They pick bar fights with the invented rural America character; The Marlboro Man. He exists in the film as the womanizing advertisement for cigarettes and work boots that require much duct tape to hold them together. Again, Duct Tape to add the feel to this illusory "redneck."

The main teaser for the film, is the two factions of modern America, rural cowboy and the freedom biker. One believes in justice and freedom and the other is the belligerent half, who is an alcoholic. I'm actually surprised there isn't a Jewish intellectual who enjoys a game of chess. That would be the other stereotypical force of America.

Ah, the all too similar bar scene. This is the scene in which i saw my first pair of breasts, in a seedy environment with smoke lingering in the air and mugs clinking. This might have had an adverse effect on the way i view women in today's society. This film does a great job of showing women as weak and pitiful, but at the same time, uses very noir-ish techniques to build up the female police officer. Girls with guns being controlling is in the top of most peoples books.


To top off the ridiculous stereotypes, the villains of the film are drug peddling Italians with their flashy suits, greased hair, and crime rings. It seems Australian director Simon Wincer decided to mock his own characters in his beloved epic Lonesome Dove. Another hilarious aspect is the main heist black man who is a clone of Jimi Hendrix, of course, his name is Jimi.

So besides being sexist and racist, Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man is a campy action film which is a thrill a minute ride and is still an ideal viewing for children, so they may grow up to be like me.

-Maq