Department of English

Kerouac’s Road: The Beat of a Nation (NBC Universal), in theaters now, features Penn English's own Professor Jean-Christophe Cloutier!

Kerouac’s Road: The Beat of a Nation explores how the legacy of Jack Kerouac’s iconic novel On the Road reflects in today’s America. The film interweaves stories of modern-day “on-the-roaders” who share connections to Kerouac’s life, alongside those influenced by him or knew and loved him. Featured participants include Josh Brolin, W. Kamau Bell, Natalie Merchant, Matt Dillon, Jay McInerney, Jean-Christophe Cloutier, and Joyce Johnson. On the Road remains as relevant today as it was in the 1950s, but both the book and Kerouac himself have never been explored in this way before. While based on the American road, On the Road inspired people globally to get out of where they are and engage in the world around them. In an era defined by screens and constant connectivity we can all still learn from the book and Kerouac’s journey, and what it means to engage in real time with the path we’re on.

Learn more about the doc at https://beinthescene.com/kerouacsroad/, and watch the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZeKRcH1i_I

Plus, see a New York Times review of the film at https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/01/movies/jack-kerouac-on-the-road-the-beat-of-a-nation.html?unlocked_article_code=1.a08.OUIx.TUgDTiVqr1Et&smid=url-share