FSM # 36: Missing Jack Nicholson….
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No, he’s not dead, but he’s been retired for 15 years. Last time we saw him onscreen was the small role in the insignificant James L. Brooks comedy HOW DO YOU KNOW in 2010. From what I’ve been able to glean, the 87-year-old legend is content with staying indoors at his home, maybe venturing out for a Lakers game now and then. Any proposed projects in the interim, like a US remake of the excellent German film TONI ERDMANN (2016) died.
I mean, it’s his right, of course. He’s earned it. But I’m still somewhat saddened, because he’s always been my favourite actor by a wide margin. I have a somewhat obsessive relationship to him, even, ever since I was a kid and a poster of his SHINING face adorned the door of my boy’s room. Here’s a pic of said boy’s room, some time in the early 90s:
Since then, I’ve seen every single film that Jack Nicholson has been involved in, and probably 90% of his early TV work.
A few weeks ago, I saw the excellent horror film SMILE 2, in which his son Ray has a small role. And when Ray puts on a grin in a particular scene, it’s the spitting image of his father. Suddenly, all the memories flood back, and the feeling of loss reappears after having come to terms with his absence in the last 15 years.
His retirement is well deserved at this point, but COME ON, JACK! You still have one more in you. Just look at Joe Pesci returning for THE IRISHMAN.
Any other fans?
Not sure if “fan” is the right word, as I’m more a “fan” of directors or composer per se than of actors, though of course there are actors I enjoy more than others. Jack Nicholson played the lead role in my all time favorite movie, J.J. Gittes in Chinatown (which is one of a small select group of maybe 5-10 movies that I regularly call “my favorite movie”), so that already puts him high on the map. I love that, despite the fact that Nicholson was of course great at playing crazed out or over the top characters, he was very good as a moral center character in Roman Polanski’s Chinatown. Of course, everybody remembers the Joker from Batman or Jack Torrance from The Shining or McMurphy from One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest, but Nicholson was actually very good and intense just playing “normal” people. He was also very good in supporting roles, like as the likeable but somewhat brash next-door neighbor of Shirley MacLaine in Terms of Endearment. I may not have seen all of his movies, but a lot, probably the majority of them.
Yes, he had an amazing range that is underrated. Again, I say “had”, not because he’s dead, but because he’s retired.
Jack Nicholson’s debut film from 1958 is a 60-minute, Corman-produced B movie about a young man (played by Nicholson) who finds himself in a compromizing situation as he tries to pull his love interest away from the local punk gang leader, only to end up in an involuntary hostage situation with a man, woman and baby.
The film is very uneven in quality. It has an interesting premise that can create a very tense, chamber piece-like atmosphere, but it is often ruined by stale dialogue, shoddy performances or implausible situations and plot holes. Jack, however, is quite good as the desperate, temperamental young man. You can clearly see the talent here even though he isn’t quite “polished” yet, especially not in terms of the Method acting he would later be known for.
Fried’s score is a pretty standard big band jazz score, slightly reminiscent of the rambunctious cop music at the time; something like M SQUAD or CHECKMATE. At times, it seems a bit too upbeat and whimsical for the serious situations the film wants to convey, but it’s quite in-your-face and swingin’. I don’t think there ever was a soundtrack? (there’s a title song too, which is pretty bad).
There is a digital release by bsx: https://buysoundtrax.myshopify.com/products/gerald-fried-the-crime-dramas?_pos=1&_sid=db371c04b&_ss=r
As Nicholson played so many famous roles it might be kind of embarrassing. But my favourite performance of his is probably THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK. It has it all somehow. His comedic talent, his crazy deamonic side, his serious compassionate and his charming side. I love it!
And I adore AS GOOD AS IT GETS. Even though a former girl friend on mine called it “that dog movie”.
Yeah, so many roles. I find the THE BUCKET LIST is a good “follow up” to AS GOOD AS IT GETS (nice a bit more “unusal” Zimmer score, too). Freeman and Nicholson are really a great match.
THE BUCKET LIST
Oh, haven’t seen that. But talking of Rob Reiner, A FEW GOOD MEN was great, despite of Tom Cruise.
But talking of Rob Reiner, A FEW GOOD MEN was great, despite of Tom Cruise.
Yeah, although I don’t generally mind Cruise as an actor per see.
And I adore AS GOOD AS IT GETS. Even though a former girl friend on mine called it “that dog movie”.
Is that why you broke up?
Coincidentally, we just saw him in Antonioni’s “The Passenger,” in which he asks Maria Schneider if she believes in coincidences.
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