Coming right off his terrific examination of
existential crisis and alienation Five Easy Pieces, Bob Rafelson’s The King
of Marvin Gardens shared number of observable resemblances with the former –thematically,
tonally and stylistically. Its themes of urban disillusionment, ennui and homecoming, along with its downbeat mood, leisurely pace and
under-dramatization, harkened its viewers to the earlier movie which had become
a cornerstone of 70s arthouse American cinema – possibly one of the reasons for
the rather unfairly diluted response it gathered upon its release. Jack Nicholson
gave another measured, layered and brilliantly restrained performance against
his type here in his startling portrayal of David, a late-night radio solo-talk
show – an introverted guy whose repressed alter-ego comes alive when alone with
his headset, who goes to Atlantic City, against his good judgement, to be part
of a sandcastle plan of his gregarious younger brother Jason (Bruce Dern). Over
the next few days in the city of big and hollow dreams, he gets to mend his strained
relationship with Jason after many years, and gets acquainted with two ladies
with strikingly opposite personalities always accompanying Jason – Sally (Ellen
Burstyn), a former beauty queen with a shallow and vulnerable personality, and
her pretty but subdued stepdaughter Jessica (Julia Anne Robinson). The overtly
ambitious dream that they become part of, and the complex and uneasy dynamics
that the four share, inevitably lead them to tragic consequences, with David
returning to his morose and lonely existence with his grandfather in Philly.
Despite its depressing content, the exquisite camerawork that made the two cities
seem alive, and fine performances, made this a surprisingly liberating watch.
Director: Bob Rafelson
Genre: Drama/Psychological Drama/Family Drama/Existential Drama
Language: English
Country: US
3 comments:
Yes indeed Shubhait, the film does indeed show striking similarities to Rafelson's earlier film, but the difference is that FIVE EASY PIECES is a masterpiece and this film falls a bit short. Still, it is an impressive film for the reason who attest to here, particularly for Rafelson's measured direction and Nicholson's extraordinary performance. This is part of the excellent blu-ray set with FIVE EASY PIECES and THE LAST PICTURE SHOW.
Superb capsule and an often neglected film.
Absolutely, Five Easy Pieces was a masterpieces despite its underrated status vis-a-vis some of its more popular contemporaries, while this fell slightly short of the former's dizzying heights. Also, the sense of deja vu that one gets (provided he/she has watched Five Easy Pieces) on account of the similarities, too, is a bit of a dampener. But I'm glad that you agreed that, at the end of the day, this is a very good film, and that Nicholson's performance is also brilliant to say the least.
Thanks a lot Sam for the good words.
nice movies pics
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