Highlights: Jack Nicholson
By Jason Barney
January 26, 2010
BoxOfficeProphets.com
There is no secret formula. Money earned in the theaters isn't added to critical reception and then divided by how many times people have seen these films. The square root of how many quotable lines a film is not multiplied by how many people own a flick on DVD.
A number of factors are taken into account for each Career Highlights list. First, limited or small roles naturally hold down a film's chances of making anyone's top five. The screen time of a role that merely lasts a few minutes is difficult to weigh against a film where they appeared as the star. In addition, box office success is not major factor. There have been some really awful movies that have made mountains of money. Perhaps the best way to define how a movie makes the Career Highlights list is by acknowledging the"Enjoyment Factor. Please feel free to agree, disagree, and offer a comment or two... and if you disagree, let us know which films should have been included!
Jack Nicholson is one of the biggest names in the business. From the eyebrows that seem to allow the actor to deliver every possible facial expression, to his fanatical viewing of Los Angeles Lakers home games, he is one of the most recognizable actors over the last 40 years. Here is a look at the most memorable work from one of the best actors to ever perform on the big screen...
1. As Good As It Gets (1997)
Jack Nicholson had a lengthy history of fine work before As Good As It Gets but his performance and role in this film are one of the reasons why it is so popular. Nicholson plays Melvin Udall, a successful writer whose life is dominated by his obsessive-compulsive disorder. His portrayal of Udall, with all of his character faults and shortcomings, is absolutely marvelous. In a short few minutes he's able to broadcast his racist, homophobic, and anti-Semitic views. It's hard not to think about people we all know when Udall starts spouting his ignorance, and it is even tougher not to cringe when he really gets going. One of the best scenes early in the film is when Simon Bishop (Greg Kinnear), his gay neighbor, knocks on his door. Udall rips into him. His interest in Carol Connelly (Helen Hunt) sparks him to do things he otherwise wouldn't, which is a major evolution for the character.
The movie delivers some truly touching moments. They are perfectly balanced with instances where Udall manages to put his foot in his mouth. The dinner scene, where he tells Connelly about his medical condition, her affect on him, and his desire to improve himself, was very nicely done. When Udall agrees to drive Simon to see his parents, the dialogue and character interaction is priceless. The film made a very impressive $148 million domestically, but perhaps the best measure of the respect it got was from critics. Nicholson walked away with an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for best Actor. As Good As It Gets also received a nomination for best picture. The film proved that after 30 years of being in movies, and playing some of the most memorable characters in the entertainment industry, Nicholson was still one of the best.
2. One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest (1975)
One of only three films to win all five major Academy Awards, it's hard to imagine that Nicholson already had several awards and nominations under his belt before One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest. He plays Randle Patrick McMurphy, a multi-offender who is transferred to a mental institution as part of a ploy to avoid hard labor. Unluckily for him, he must deal with Nurse Ratched (Louise Fletcher), the nurse who oversees the mental ward. From the beginning it is a pure test of wills between the two. As his time with the inmates increases, he comes to realize they are actually quite normal individuals who suffer through Nurse Ratched's sessions and treatments.
The tension builds between McMurphy and Ratched as he interacts with the patients. At one point he is gambling with them, and at another he's trying to listen to a World Series game. He goes so far as to call for a vote among the developmentally challenged, arguing for rule changes inside of the ward, which does not go over very well with Ratched. What makes Nicholson's performance so memorable is his ability to deliver his character's outbursts in such a convincing way. When he learns that his previous actions may be lengthening his stay, it is hard not to feel for him. When he tries to lift the console that he wants to use to escape, the bitter look on his face was really well done. When he takes the other inmates out on an unscheduled fishing trip, McMurphy earns the full wrath of Ratched.
He is forced to undergo a rather brutal therapy, but at the same time develops a touching relationship with another inmate called Chief. McMurphy still continues with his insubordination, calls some girl friends, and tells them to bring alcohol to the institution. This action has some awful consequences, which lead up to the very well done ending. Nicholson should get all of the credit in the world for delivering a masterful performance, but it's important to note that Louise Fletcher as Ratched has earned a very high spot on the "Best Villains of All Time" list.
3. Batman (1989)
Perhaps Nicholson's most memorable role, it's important to note that he pulled off the Joker without really looking like the arch villain of Batman. While Nicholson's on screen presence may be imposing, he actually does not physically fit the role of the Joker very well. In the comics the Joker is very tall and slim. He has a full head of hair, and a long chin. Jack Nicholson is a little thin on top, not very tall, and has a large, round face. The fact that Nicholson was able to pull off the Joker is a true testament to his ability as an actor. As the film begins, he plays Jack Napier, one of the crooks involved in all of the corruption in the city of Gotham. As the film progresses, Napier is transformed into the Joker. From that point, watching Nicholson is a wild ride.
From the dark opening scenes, where we first see him having his scarred face operated on, to his attempts to win the affections of Vicky Vale (Kim Bassinger), Nicholson's laughs are downright disturbing. In the scene where the Joker visits the crime boss of Gotham, Grissom (Jack Palance), Nicholson's facial expressions and pure energy are captivating. It's a little odd to view a movie and cheer for the antics of the villain, but his performance is just awesome. The adversarial relationship that develops between him and Batman (Michael Keaton) is memorable.
In another scene for the film hall of fame, the Joker dines with Vicky Vale at a local museum. Vale rejects the Joker and splashes water onto his face. He reacts by taunting her and gives audiences one of the most disconcerting and villainous laughs ever delivered on screen. When the Joker attempts to create as much mayhem as possible, Batman does his best to save Gotham. In an awesome smash'em up action ending, Nicholson portrays the madman in a very obsessed way. As the Joker's plans to gas the inhabitants of Gotham are defeated, the look inn his eyes manage to communicate..."I gotta kill someone, today". Portraying an insane murderer could not have been easy, but Nicholson did it with energy, and seemed to enjoy it. Perhaps the best measure of fan reaction to Nicholson as the Joker, is the amount of dissatisfaction with the fate of the character at the end of the film.
4. The Shining (1980)
This one is very special. Perhaps one of the quieter roles Nicholson has ever taken, The Shining is also one of the few horror films he has ever headlined. However, the paring of Nicholson, one of the greatest actors of the 20th century, with Stephen King, one of the best horror writers of his era, is well worth seeing. Add the unique film making abilities of Stanely Kubrick, and audiences receive a real treat. Nicholson plays Jack Torrance, a recovering alcoholic writer who jumps at the chance to live as the caretaker of an isolated hotel in the Rocky Mountains.
He brings his family along, and as the day-to-day monotony of the job takes over, the horror elements of the film start to surface. The spirits that exist inside of the hotel start to exert their influence and the tensions within the family start rise. One of the best scenes in the movie is when his wife accuses Torrance of physically mishandling his son. In an effort to deal with the accusation, he travels through certain parts of the hotel, and lands in the empty bar.
The spirits of the establishment communicate with him, and Torrance's delight at finally being offered a drink is downright eerie. When they contact him in the men's bathroom and he converses with the ghost that was the previous caretaker years ago, the mannerisms on his face are creepy and sympathetic at the same time. Finally, when Jack Torrance does lose it and goes after his wife and child, viewers get the chance to see one really deranged man. For instance, when he claims he wants to take a bat and beat his wife's head in, audiences can't help but recoil. When he chases them into one of the bathrooms and takes an ax to the door that separates them, he confidently and alarming yells the classic line, "Here's Johnny!" Finally, when the dust settles and the final scene where Torrance is chasing his son through the massive maze is over...the crazed, frozen look on Nicholson's face probably could not have been pulled off by another actor.
5. ChinaTown (1974)
This is a very complex film, one that demands patience and complete attention while viewing. One wonders if today's moviegoers, who need constant action and instant gratification, would embrace Chinatown. Audiences and critics did so in the mid 1970s though, as it earned 11 Academy Award Nominations, and took home the award for best screenplay. Nicholson earned a Golden Globe for Best Actor, the film earned the 19th spot on the American Film Institute's top 100 movie list.
Nicholson plays J.J. Gittes, a private detective in 1937 Los Angeles. Gittes is called in to investigate a personal situation, and discovers a land grab by prominent investors in California. The plot is multi-layered, and Nicholson is fabulous. From his opening scenes where he is mislead and only has a hint of what is to come, Nicholson portrays Gittes as hardworking, relaxed, and very competent. He is believable as a 1930s private investigator, but his quality acting is constantly on display.
Consider the amount of energy he has in the scene where he and (the real) Evelyn Mulwray (Faye Dunaway) meet. Gittes comes into his office and is insistent on telling the male employees an off-color joke. He delivers it with the energetic innocence of a college kid, and you have to wonder if Nicholson personally found the joke hilarious. The range of emotions and reactions he is able to convey during the development of the plot is amazing. The chemistry between him and Faye Dunaway was great. As the relationship between the two characters develops, viewers hope Gittes isn't putting himself into a no-win situation. When he opens up about his law enforcement background in Chinatown, it's hard not to be sympathize. Much later in the film, when he has figured out the motivations of some of the moneymen involved in the plot, he still must deal with Evelyn Mulwray's personal situation. One moment he is the macho detective, puffing hungrily on a cigarette, and when he forces the truth from her, he becomes a quiet and caring questioner, intent on helping her out. The film's ending is very well done, although it is a bit upsetting. Chinatown cemented Nicholson as a leading actor and paved the way for his bright career.