MovieChat Forums > The Two Jakes (1990) Discussion > Decent Beyond Redemption

Decent Beyond Redemption

posted 12 years ago by The_Dying_Flutchman
6 replies | jump to latest

"The Two Jakes" has disappointed many in first release and later; in fact, it still does. However, I think it needs another viewing, perhaps several more to fully understand its nuances. Jack Nicholson was not interested in filming the average or even expected sequal. He was not interested in bringing out another "version" of the same story which audiences and film companies usually demand. Instead, he put together a very unusual sequal that advances the story to a time when America was trying to regain its foothold on the world. True, there are story elements in this that flesh out a kind of horror not known in popular parlence at the time. Incest was never talked about and neither was "color" or racism, but these are inherent in the underbelly of the new LA of postwar 1948. They all figure in the storyline of this neo noir concoction and color it passed common perceptions of the era. A cursory viewing of the film is not sufficient, but actually sitting down and giving it a go will reveal different thoughts. Ultimately, not everyone will take that time to find out what is really going on, but for those who care to do so, new doors of insight will be opened.

Obtained from the liver of the inflatable mongoose.

[–] escalera-2 12 years ago

Well said, TDF (worthy of addition as a Review).

How easy it would have been to call it Chinatown 2, Son of Chinatown, Return to Chinatown or Chinatown Strikes Back. It is obvious he was interested in progressing the character of Jake Gittes and that is a noble pursuit.

[–] richardecredico 11 years ago

i always liked the film and found a lot of good and interesting work in it ... its not chinatown and who would have wanted that anyway except some shallow fool

as the years pass i appreciate it more,, accept it with its flaws, and enjoy it as a period piece chock full of interesting dialog and scenary chewing from some hollywood heavyweights

[–] jervistetch 11 years ago

I just watched it for the second time after a 20+ year interval and liked it vastly more than I did the first time. A second viewing IS beneficial. It's a gorgeous film.

[–] rogerscorpion 10 years ago

I agree. One must divest oneself of expectations.

Make more, Jack!

Carpe Noctem!

[–] DaveBowman2001 9 years ago

Same for me. I saw it when it came out and only just re-saw it. I think I saw this prior to Chinatown even. I watch movies differently than I did in my teens/20s. I liked it ok then, but found it even better today.

[–] Noir-It-All 8 years ago

I saw both in theater and just now! Like the above posters, the latter was the better experience.