As the subject line says... If you like this film, see Wes Anderson's first film "Bottle Rocket" (1996). The plot is somewhat similar, with a range of parallel characters. I wouldn't be surprised if Wes Anderson is a fan of this film.
the one guy with all the ideas, everyone following along and believing even though he's kind of a BSer. The natural dialogue, the pacing, the one guy that was in a nutt house for depression. someone getting shot in the end, making all their plans fall apart.a lot ofthe off-beat quirky humor too... they're similar in a lot of ways. i loved both films.
Well, I watched this after liking "Bottle Rocket", and I'll have to say this was kind of dull. I thought Nicholson was mis-cast as the straight guy. Someone with that much talent shouldn't play anyone passive, especially when in contrast to a much higher energy character. He was great in the opening and closing monologues, but the entire time I watched everything else in between, I kept thinking he should have had Bruce Dern's part.
This film missed the mark for me in more ways than that, too. After seeing "Five Easy Pieces" (1970) and comparing what Rafelson and Nicholson did in that film, this was a disappointment. Too bad!
cjr3559, I think your complaint is a common one. Too many people want this to be Five Easy Pieces, or at least for Nicholson to play a character like Bobby Dupea. You've got to take Marvin Gardens for what it is, as hard as that may be. I think Nicholson's performance in it is amazing. Even though Five Easy Pieces is my all-time favorite film, I love what Nicholson, Dern, Burstyn and Rafelson did with Marvin Gardens.
I agree with lcrews completely and I urge you to take his advice.
Just popped into my mind that Rafelson originally wanted to cast Pacino in the role who I think could've been picture perfect (not that Nicholson isn't, but I doubt Al would've had to play it with the glasses on).