The Two Jakes

Ratings & Reviews

Sebastian Lock

A mediocre plot with some great scenes and compelling actors. I think Jack Nicholson did a great job as director but can't help but wish that Roman Polanski had done it.

First Lady Dré

looks lush but not wholly satisfying

Kevin Matthews

Although it would seem to be a fool's errand to even attempt following on from the classic Chinatown, Jack Nicholson steps up to direct himself, and Harvey Keitel, Madeleine Stowe, Meg Tilly, and more, in this impressive, although predictable, second cinematic adventure for detective Jake Gittes.

'king Harold

The only good thing about this film is It shows how good Polanski is. Clunking and confused with a score by Van Dyke Parks to match.

SiIencio

Difficult to grow under the wing of Chinatown, comparisons will always be drawn, and particularly if the plot, disjointed and superfluous, seems to go mercilessly forever. The reappearance of a plump mature Jake Gittes brings little gravitas and charisma. Same name, different actor, Nicholson is unrecognisable. A poor Noir with no edge, lacking a strong lead and asphyxiated by an overcomplicated and irrelevant plot.

McOpinionated

confusing american costume drama with sumptuous set decoration and far too many loose ends, Too many nods to Chinatown. Harvey Keitel steals the show.

Tja

JN's voice-over is music to my ears, so I'll draw a veil over the slightly inscrutable plot. China Town it isn't, but the sunny LA setting, deco fittings, and the comicbook characters remain a pleasure.

Steve G.

Forget it Jake. It's no Chinatown.

Matt Rolls

Overlong and over-complicated, but a noble effort.

mjgildea

3 1/2 out of 5 stars. While this is an admittedly unnecessary sequel to one of my favorite movies ever and almost completely languishes for nearly an hour, the final 15 minutes absolutely turns it around and the final scene (and line) blew me away. Amazing cast even if it the story leans too much on the original. I would've loved to have seen this in the hands of a more experienced director or even Polanski himself.

William

Chinatown is great, but it definitely doesn't have a scene where Gittes gets blown up after smoking too closely to natural gas. Or Van Dyke Parks playing a lawyer.

Liam Brennan

This Chinatown follow-up is a very detailed sequel to say the least as it attempts to eclipse its 1974 original. It is a decent movie and well worth a watch but sadly isn't a patch on Chinatown. Nicholson takes over from Polanski in Directing duties and does well with a fairly decent cast and the inclusion of Harvey Keitel helps the movie but don't try and watch it without seeing the original first. 7/10

Jaspar Lamar Crabb

It ties back to the earlier film and yes, the script by Robert Towne is extremely rich. The film itself is not altogether satisfying because while it's chock full of excellent scenes, it's missing a major element that every good mystery needs: a truly menacing adversary. While CHINATOWN concluded in the most catastrophic way, THE TWO JAKES essentially cops out at the end. Meg Tilly is the standout.

Spencer Draper

It's much like Godfather III in many respects. Much better than the consensus, released 16 years after the previous film, but unlike Godfather III it has a definite resonance and staying power. Nowhere near Chinatown's power-but then again it was never meant to replicate or be better than it's predecessor. There is a great sense of depth and loss here. The DVD is a great way to view this little flawed gem.

Publius

Very nearly very good. Nowhere near as tight as Chinatown, but just as well acted. A variation on a theme, one might say.

Pierluigi Puccini

Jack Nicholson revives the Jake Gittes myth in this minor but decent follow up to the legendary Chinatown. it keeps the twists and intricate schemes of the first. but the romantic, unnerving and disturbing touch is lost.