Cheap The Two Jakes (DVD) (Jack Nicholson, Harvey Keitel) (Jack Nicholson) Price

Related Products

Customer Reviews of The Two Jakes

Most reviews pull Jack Nicholson's directorial debut to pieces, except for a very well-considered one by Roger Ebert (find it at the Chicago Sun-Times). Of course, it's not Chinatown. Instead it's a wonderful film that had the misfortune of being a sequel to a classic film. It's about the past, how it pervades our lives for the rest of our days, and how we incorporate it into our futures.

Many have complained that the film is convoluted, that when the key revelation comes (I ain't givin' that away) you miss the impact of it. I strongly disagree with this. I for one had actually figured out the revelation before it happened - this didn't bother me because I wanted so much for it to be what I had thought it was going to be. And when it comes, it's so subtle you could almost be forgiven for missing it. It's lovely, so comforting, and very ironic. All I'll say is, pay attention to the scene where Jake (Nicholson) goes to see Kahn (the unmistakable James Hong). "Something about the flowers..."

The Two Jakes is subtle, well-crafted, and when all is revealed, so very simple. The 'convoluted' events in the plot serve to illustrate what a single, simple desire can cause. Just watch it. Bear in mind the events and characters from Chinatown, but only so that you have a backstory for these characters and not a standard to which they should be compared.

And if you get this movie, "It never goes away..."

Two Jakes: A Classic, but not a Masterpiece
Two Jakes is great movie, but simply NOT on the level of "Chinatown"... The story is well written, the talent is superb, but the direction lacks the dynamic, passionate style that Polanski put into his masterpiece "Chinatown". Jack, Harvey, Perry, and especially the normally talented Meg Tilly, walk through their parts without tension or emotional dynamics... which is not consistant with either the period, nor the style of early film noir.... this is a film in the style of the 90s, and so Nicholson is seduced by BOTH leading ladies... and it falls flat both times. The music, which is not distinctive, adds nothing to the needed dramatic tension of these characters, which it should have. Still, the movie has some strong points. The photography and set designs are first rate. The scene in the Max Factor building using the actual reception room and exterior is wonderful... the building is now the "Hollywood History Museum" and it was great to see it as it may have appeared in 1948. The new DVD transfer is a fine one, color corrected, and sound is clear and crisp. The performance by Ruben Blades is incredible and he is a frightening tough guy who shows his loyalty and bond to Harvey's character in the end very clearly... not an easy bit of drama to play out on screen. I recommend this one, but just do not expect the same masterpiece that Chinatown is.... and I strongly recommend a person see Chinatown first to understand much of this film.

Excellent color film noir
This is a nice sequel to Chinatown. It is written by Robert Towne, the writer of Chinatown. Where Chinatown is pre-war Los Angeles and surrounds water resources and development of the San Fernando Valley, this film is about post-war Los Angeles and oil.

The DVD is high quality. The image is sharp, color is good, and soundtrack well balanced.

If you have Chinatown you should also add the sequel to your collection.