Don't hate my opinion but am I the only one who did not buy Jack Nicholson's part in this movie. He was the only actor their who acted. Everybody there was real and present but he was either manic, or not present in the role or just no believable and his dialect did not seem genuine to me. The needed another guy in that role. THis was a beuatiful, tragic part that should have been played by another actor. Pity.
shareI tend to agree that he was the "only actor who acted", but I think in terms of his character and what it represented, it made reasonable sense. He was an "actor" in that he was an average American of a reasonably wealthy, and closed minded background who was out of his element. Telling the cops not to let word get out of his jailtime is a perfect example of the "act" of his middle class life. The scene with the joint is another good example on paper of someone trying too hard to fit in, and Nicholson pulls it off effectively.
Despite that, yes I still tended to find watching his performance to be slightly awkward. I was slightly surprised to see that it earned him an Oscar nod, the performance was nothing in comparison to Fonda's work here.
Stanley, I need to clear my previous comment. I had no problem with a character. I think because of how precious and true that character was, a more sensitive actor, or rather, a more sensitive approach would have been better. I am glad somebody shares my opinion on this. ))
shareIt was Nicholson's best supporting performance ever.
shareSomething I didn't catch years ago: when George is released from the jail and asking the cops not to tell his dad about being in jail, he's slipping them money!
Yeah, it is a little unusual seeing Jack play a kind and sensitive man that's a hippie at heart. Rip Torn originally had the role of George.
And besides this, if Jack Nicholson had not had the role in this movie, he would have probably remained a forgotten B movie actor that spent his whole career in Roger Corman quickies!
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