By: Mariah Thomas
There is a beauty to a book that stands the test of time. On The Road written by Jack Kerouac is interwoven into the fabric of America. It tells fragments of stories that many can relate to and see themselves in. While it has gotten its share of film adaptations and deeper documentary looks, Kerouac’s Road: The Beat of a Nation offers something new. It shares a direct mirror into why it is such a beloved novel, following the stories of current travelers who share the same sentiments and notable names who have a love for the novel. This documentary is a reminder of the importance of self and following your own journey.
The novel On The Road is based on Jack Kerouac’s own travels across the US in the 1950s. It remains a notable book for its commitment to challenge societal norms and depiction of unconventional lifestyles. However, it is still met with criticism with its outdated views on its women protagonists. The ideologies and free-spirited nature is what is focused on in this new documentary. Kerouac’s Road tells the stories of a handful of people who spend their time traveling the US and having a deep love for it. It also reflects on why the novel holds such value in today’s day and age through stories from celebrities like Josh Brolin, Matt Dillon, W. Kamau Bell and more.
Any form of media that centers around searching for yourself and freedom from the negativity in life is wonderful to see. I really enjoyed hearing the stories of the travelers featured in this doc. Something that stuck with me was from a featured traveller, Diana, as she recounts her love for traveling while driving through Texas on a road trip. She says she considered becoming a truck driver at some point in her life because of her deep love for travel and when prompted to explain why she didn’t – simply saying, “At the time I figured I needed to make a living more than I needed to be free.” To me, it was a reminder of the lifelong passions and loves we have. And sometimes that is met is sacrifice and this is wonderfully explored in this documentary.
Director Ebs Burnough does a fantastic job at highlighting both the past and future when it comes to dissecting the book On The Road. Though a focus is the appreciation for the novel, he strongly highlights the ideals that make it beloved. Additionally, we are shown real life examples and stories. This adds many layers and is a reminder that a novel like this expands time. By telling the stories of road trips in the 1950s, it is still relevant in theory in 2025.
You do not have to have read On The Road to enjoy the documentary Kerouac’s Road: The Beat of a Nation. The core of this is a love for travel and the things you learn about yourself along the way. It reflects on the overall human experiences we all face. It is a beautiful feature that makes you reflect on your own life journey and experiences up until this point. It leaves you questioning what you want your next steps and next journey to be. It is worth the watch if you get the chance.