Don't get me wrong, I love this film..
But it seems like Jack plays Gittes a little dumber in this sequel, maybe because of stress? For example, the whole "What's this?" about the grenade, or lighting up a cigarette near oil, getting lost in conversation.
At any rate, he still put on an excellent performance.
"Please allow me to introduce myself.. I'm a man of wealth and taste."share
He didn't know if it was a real grenade or a toy. He fought in the war. I'm sure he knew what a grenade looked like. Also, maybe he meant more "what's going on?" than "what's this thing in my hand?" As for lighting the cigarette, maybe he did not know he was standing near oil. If I recall, the sign was taken down. What do you mean about him getting lost in conversation?
The script was a lot dumber than Chinatown IMO. It needed a few re-writes, and a better editor. They could have cut 15 minutes without anybody ever noticing. The Two Jakes is about 7 minutes longer than Chinatown.
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Jake is more the irrepressible force than the sharp detective from day one. Someone could write a thesis on just how many clues he misses in Chinatown. The very essence of Chinatown is a man that repeats his mistakes, set apart from Hollis Mulwray who refuses to make another dam saying 'I'm not going to repeat the same mistake.'
In The Two Jakes, Jakes' instincts and observations are much better. He makes the connection on the lighter, catches on early on the mineral rights, observes the differences showing that a chair was brought into the hotel room with the gun under it and sniffs out Jake Berman's health issues.
Living Is Easy With Eyes Closed
Yes and it is distressing.
I was watching it last night fairly critically and what I saw was a Jack Nicholson minus the edge he had in CHINATOWN and reverting to the lazy JN who is playing himself and not the character and just goes for a low comedy moment as a dim-wit. That and his poaunch and watching him move like an old man at times is throwing off the film for me. I'm about 40 minutes from the end. I'll watch that tonight.
I felt the same way in 1990 but now that I'M a 19 years older, I can understand how Jake sorta mellowed over 10 years. (It would have been 15 for Jack N. Much was made of the time of Jack N. himself switching from tennis to golf.) Also, Jake fought during WWII. He may have been worn out.
I think Chinatown took place after 1936. There was a social security card in the wallet of the woman who first appeared as Mrs. Mulwray. Social Security began in 1936.
"Two more swords and I'll be Queen of the Monkey People." Roseanne
Also, Jake fought during WWII. He may have been worn out.
Being Irish,I love Nicholson..but he was not into this movie at all.
I think he made some fine films when he was younger and thin...I feel that he has been mailing it in for 25 years.
There is only one Paul McCartney...I say he looks 35 years old.HEY FAT ADDS YEARS TO ACTORS FACES AND THEIR WORK SUFFERS
LOOK AT THE GREAT RAY WINSTONE.......GREAT FILMS GETS FACE LIFT AND LOOKS LIKE PORKY PIG__AND I LUV THE GUY.
Also, when his fiancée hangs up on him, he calls her back (at her home), and asks her where she is.
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He's definitely a mellower character in The Two Jakes. He's less sarcastic, less animated, less aggressive. Less everything. In some ways, he doesn't even seem like the same character. He's bigger. He's slower. Nicholson was 53 when TTJ came out. He was 37 in Chinatown. During that 16-year interval, he didn't necessarily age as gracefully as some Hollywood actors. Look at Brad Pitt. He was in Thelma and Louise 20 years ago and, in my opinion, he's even handsomer now than he was then.
Having said all that, I went back and watched The Two Jakes for the first time since I saw it in the theaters 21 years ago (at the time, I was 22). I hated it then. I was so disappointed. Now, I have to admit, I like the film. I see what Nicholson and Robert Towne were trying to do with it. Madeleine Stowe is the only player in TTJ who turns in a weak performance (although she's so damned good looking). Of course, it goes without saying, it's not in the same league as Chinatown. But almost no other film is. I think the passage of time will probably be kind to The Two jakes. I think it will be rehabilitated when new audiences begin to watch it on its own merits and aren't so quick to compare it to Chinatown.
p.s. It is fun to see Jake kick Loach's ass!
"You can dish it out, but you got so you can't take it no more." - Caesar Enrico Bandello
I didn't love the film, but I don't think Jake was dumber, just older and slower.
Poorly Lived and Poorly Died, Poorly Buried and No One Criedshare