The Two Jakes (Widescreen): Amazon.ca: DVD: DVD

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Set more than a decade after the story in Chinatown, this 1990 sequel brings Jack Nicholson back to the screen as L.A. private detective Jake Gittes. Older, fatter, worn, and frustrated, the Jake of 1948 is still haunted by the tragic events of the earlier film. While investigating a case involving adultery and questionable land dealings by an L.A. tycoon (Harvey Keitel as the other Jake), Gittes unexpectedly confronts a few old ghosts and discovers that the resource of choice in Southern California--one for which people die--is no longer water but oil. The film had a notorious production history, with Nicholson taking over the project from writer-director Robert Towne, and the dense plot can be difficult to follow. But if The Two Jakes doesn't measure up to the legendary status of its stylish predecessor, the film does satisfy on its own terms and brings the events of Chinatown to a moving conclusion. Terrific work by Keitel and supporting players Meg Tilly, Madeleine Stowe, Eli Wallach, and Ruben Blades. --Tom Keogh

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Customer Reviews

16 Reviews

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

Average Customer Review

3.8 out of 5 stars (16 customer reviews)

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars GREAT FILM IN ITS OWN RIGHT, Sep 24 2003

By

Shashank Tripathi (Gadabout) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Two Jakes (Widescreen) (DVD)

"Two Jakes" is no Polanski treat, yet it is somewhat unjustly compared to its epic predecessor ("Chinatown"). Watch the movie in its own right, and you will be amazed. Chinatown had a trademark Polanski stamp in its fluid narrative and its clever unfurling of clues (just in time for an emotionally explosive denouement) but that is precisely where "Two Jakes" errs. The plot is quite suspenseful but a trifle convoluted. Characters are more deeply examined. If you enjoy intrigue, ala LA COnfidential or Unusual Suspects, this flick is definitely worth your while. If you insist on comparing it to its prequel you may be disappointed. Jack is a terrific actor but his directorial mettle is alarming here as well. Highly recommended!

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2.0 out of 5 stars a sequel to 1974's Chinatown,lacking the same spark and imagination, Oct 24 2007

By

falcon "disdressed12" (canada) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

This review is from: The Two Jakes (Widescreen) (DVD)

this movie is the sequel to 1974's Chinatown.Jack Nicholson directed
this film and stars again as Jake Gittes.Robert Towne wrote the script
and the movie is based on characters created by him.it is hard not to
compare this movie to its predecessor and comparisons are inevitable.so
here goes.First off this movie plods along at a snail's pace.there
doesn't seem to be a clear direction.Also,Gittes seems less likable
this time around.the surrounding characters seem to lack any real
imagination,as do the situations.put simply,there is no spark.and the
femme fatalle angle,which worked so well in the original,doesn't work
here.but then who could fill the shoes of the mega star charismatic
actress Faye Dunnaway?no-one.so,the femme in this case is less
fatalle.the script is also lacking in imagination,giving the
director(Nicholson)less to work with.you will be bored nearly to tears
here.a disappointing followup to Chinatown.,as a stand alone
film,however-also disappointing.this movie is not quite awful,but not
quite good either.not recommended. 2/5

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2.0 out of 5 stars The director's job isn't the number one problem here, Nov 14 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Two Jakes, the (VHS Tape)

i never understood why CHINATOWN
was considered a classic but
for any actor to act the main role
and direct in the same movie
it is not a small acheivement and
the job for THE TWO JAKES is pretty good.

The problem here lies alot more in
the plot,storyline and distribution.

Different actors for the female roles
could have helped a little bit
but the plot is too complicated
and the film should have been shorter.

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Most recent customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars 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... Read more

Published on Mar 29 2004 by Gregory Olsen