The Two Jakes (1990)

Attention must be paid

Dismissed by critics and audiences upon its initial release in 1990, the Two Jakes has more or less faded into obscurity while the film that inspired it remains a big part of the American cultural fabric. Perhaps the fault is not entirely Nicholson's--the themes of movies like the Godfather and Chinatown lent themselves a lot better to the more introspective and brooding methods of the 70's.
Mind you, the Two Jakes is also brooding and introspective, but it is also sloppy and inept in the key places. Where Chinatown had a clear and focused narrative throughout, The Two Jakes drags its feet for a dangerously long time and far too many of the scenes are either redundant or awkward. Chinatown moved at a deceptively leisurely pace, following Gittes around the city. Nicholson tries to emulate this in his role as director, but the chief impression is not of revelation(as it was in the previous film) but of a private investigator running errands. This is due in part to the films notorious production history, but is exacerbated by the unfinished script coupled with Nicholson's lack of experience in the most important seat of filming.
In spite of many of these failings, The Two Jakes manages to be a surprisingly enjoyable film even if it doesn't convey the sense of despair of its predecessor. There are fine performances from Keitel and Nicholson and the cinematography is perhaps the most beautiful I've ever seen, giving Los Angles of the 1940's a crisp and optimistic look which befits the prevailing attitude of the time. While Nicholson fails to give the film the tremendous narrative force of Chinatown, he does manage to offer further insights into both his character and his character's past and effectively ties the film up in a surprisingly restrained ending. July 30, 2008

It's All About The Script...And There Wasn't One

CHINATOWN was and always will be one of my favorite movies.

The shame of this sequel is that script never came together. In fact, I remember reading about the feud that ensued between Jack Nicholson and screenwriter Robert Towne over the production of this movie. Nicholson complained that Towne left town without finishing the script and actress Meg Tilley was quoted that she could remember feeling the heat from just-copied pages fresh from a copy machine having just been thrown together.

The acting and directing are there...but the story is not.

Big disappointment. July 15, 2008

A Disastrous Sequel

A disastrous sequel to Chinatown--- it's hard to believe that the same screenwriter wrote both movies. While Jack Nicholson does a credible job directing, the screenplay is a convoluted mess. This movie was justifiably panned when it came out. January 26, 2008

Jack Nicholson should be directing films.

Let's make this short...This chair I'm in is too short for this computer, and I'm all squished here, with my left foot bent under sideways causing the side of it to stretch open my callous...painful.
I love this film, it starts beautifully, maintains a great mood, has all it's parts in order, and I wonder how many of you ever noticed the distant car shot that looks likes it's driving up a womans body represented by the hills...It's always about that...no matter what the McGuffin is in a film. Jack is a great director, I seen all the films he directed, and he always struck me as a kind of Huston director...Fresh, and original. It brings out the best, and the artist in him. He is able to stretch beyond his physical limitations and create a total world. Maybe the Two Jakes title never grabbed people...This film has a very special place for me. Original sex scenes, great moods, fresh style...Jack you're a great talent...you work with the best people. Now if you're listening, Jack, see what you can do to get Ironweed on a region 1 DVD. It's such a great film. If you see Tom Waits again, tell him Jimmy The Lock is a friend of mine...Andre in San Francisco says....please make more films as a director. January 1, 2008

Excellent Neo-Noir on DVD / Improved Picture / It's jake!

When it was first screened, I picked "The Two Jakes" apart like a pizza; only to turn around and love everything about it. Roman Polanski is special and just about any other directors' great films pale by comparison. And a the sequel of a favorite is always a sitting duck. "Jakes" may not be Polanski but Nicholson, Towne, Zsigmond, Van Dyke Parks (beautiful, moody music score) and company did a fine job of a follow up! Compared to other neo-noir films of it's or any other period, it's a very, very good picture. When you've seen "Chinatown" too many times, try "Jake", I hope it grows on you as it grew on me. The story, acting, photography are excellent and brimming with atmosphere making it great entertainment. If you like this kind of movie, you are in for a treat. And like "Chinatown" you might watch it too many times. That means I like it. November 28, 2007

More reviews at Amazon.com ...