The other Jack Nicholson

Jack Nicholson gets most of his attention, fame, and even awards for his flamboyant roles, i.e. his cookie cutter wise-a$$ "Jack" persona in movies like As Good as it Gets, or perhaps his more over the top psycho roles.

To me, where Nicholson really excels and proves his acting chops is in more subtle and subdued roles such as this one. Other favorites of mine are his similarly subdued performances in The King of Marvin Gardens, The Pledge and About Schmidt. Unfortunately, those don't seem to be the films that he's known and praised for.