The Two Jakes [DVD] [1991]

It's L.A. again, but this time after the war. J.J. Gittes is older, fatter, but still as intelligent. The past haunts him, and he passes his days on at a time. He still works on adulterous marriage cases, which leads him to meet Jake (played by the magnificent Harvey Keitel) a salesman who knows his wife is having an affair and itends to catch her in the act and get a recording. However, the night doesn't go as planned, and shots are fired. Gittes now has to unravel a mystery that he's in the middle of, with not only his career on the line, but his life.

The movie does have a complex plot, much like the original, and the story does call back on the previous film for numerous reasons. Jack Nicholson directed this film with great style, and the cinematography gleams with class and oozes respectability. The movie does look beautiful, capturing the landscape and mood perfectly. What does stand out in this movie is the comedy. It isn't a full-blown comedy, but it is laced with dark humour, which works well.

A third movie would be warmly welcomed, but whether that will happen, I fear, is doubtfull. To see the story of J.J. Gittes reignited would be wonderfull, because 'The Two Jakes' was one of the better detective films. The plot is given to you in pieces, and like all good detective thrillers keeps you on your toes. This does refer back to it's predecessor, and does rely on it, and surely isn't as good as it, but it's a great movie, which offers top performances and comes to a satisfying conclusion. However, despite it's reliance on 'Chinatown', it is a different movie. It's a noir movie, yes, but one of later years, of an old detective that probably just wants to put his feet up and a nap.

This movie is often criticised, and in many circles hated. However, I cannot understand why, as this is a very honest and enjoyable movie. It was panned on its release, and fans of the original still disown it. I found it to be a great continuation of the original, and definately a must watch for any fans of the original.

From the smoke ring filled opening with Peggy Lee's "Don't Smoke in Bed" to Jo Stafford's "Haunted Heart" at the end Nicholson frames the colorful orange and blues of 1948 Los Angeles against the darker internal memories of the past. Gittes is a successful P.I. who works on divorce cases and plays golf. L.A. County is filled with orange groves created by the water so sought after in "Chinatown". But Gittes is about to learn you can never really forget the past.

Los Angeles of 1948 is booming with housing going up everywhere. But just as in "Chinatown" nothing is ever enough. Oil is the new 'water' and some people will even kill for it. Harvey Keitel is great as the 'other' Jake and Perry Lopez is on hand once more as Gittes old 'pal' Lou Escobar. Some of the best exchanges in the film are between these two. Rueben Blades and Frederick Forest give nice support as does Richard Farnsworth as weathered oilman Earl Rawley.

Madeline Stowe nearly steals the show as the outwardly prim and proper but inwardly frustrated (You're gonna make me aren't you) nymph Lillian Bodine. But it is Jake's meeting with the softly beautiful and vulnerable wife of the 'other' Jake that triggers something. Meg Tilly is terrific as Kitty Berman and Gittes can't quite understands why she gets him thinking about the past until he revisits it himself in the form of Kahn (James Hong), the Mulray's former servant. There is something about the flowers....

As things come full circle from the past to the present Gittes will have to revisit the past more than he wants to and in doing so will find all the closure he will ever get and maybe a chance to help Evelyn Mulray in a way he could not before. This is a great film that stands on it's own and is also a nice companion piece to the Noir masterpiece of "Chinatown".

My favorite line from this film comes when Gittes rebukes a woman in a restaurant. He tells her, "I may be the town leper, but I'm the town leper with the most fingers". This is one you don't want to miss. It really is terrific and a must see for Nicholson fans.