Bob Rafelson (1933–2022)

David Mamet's adaptation of James M. Cain's novel sees itinerant drifter and part time criminal Frank Chambers (Jack Nicholson) being hired as a mechanic by Greek garage / cafe owner Nick Papadakis (John Colicos) and his wife Cora (Jessica Lange). Frank and Cora quickly begin a torrid affair and soon begin to see Nick as the impediment to their happiness and their thoughts are soon turning to murder. Bob Rafelson directs with a eye to a grim and gritty depression-era realism and is ably show more assisted by the grainy cinematography of Sven Nykvist. Between them they paint a realistic portrait of desperate places and desperate times that creates the motivational background for characters like Frank and Cora. Both Jack Nicholson and Jessica Lange are first class - both being Oscar nominated for their performances. Their relationship begins as dingy, grubby and focussed on raw sex (with a sado-masochistic edge) but over time grows and develops into something deeper and more emotional. The film begins to loses focus into the third act as it evolves into a courtroom drama that seems stylistically at odds with the earlier parts of the film. Overall, however, this is a fine slice of grubby noir with a sexual edge that is elevated by two great central performances. show less

2023 movie #186. 1968. Monkees music videos stitched together with little consideration of plot. Not well received at the time but if you were 16 when this movie came out, like I was, you’ll love it.

A man with a rich family is angry about it.

2/4 (Indifferent).

[spoilers:] There's no development. It's just a static portrait of an asshole. The big finale is that he (literally) looks in a mirror, then goes on doing exactly what he was going to do from the start of the movie.

(Apr. 2022)

2022 movie #202. 1970. I saw this when it originally came out. Still a powerful movie with a great performance by Nicholson. The film was nominated for Oscars for best picture, best actor and best supporting actress (Black) and screenplay. Didn't win any of them.