Jack Nicholson reteamed with his FIVE EASY PIECES director Bob Rafelson for this strange ode to brothers. David Staebler (Nicholson) is a depressed and skeptical late night radio DJ, who broadcasts his "true" tales of woe. One day he gets a call to come to Atlantic City from his big brother Jason (Bruce Dern, DIGGSTOWN).
When he arrives, David discovers that his brother is in jail and wrapped up with mobsters including Lewis (Scatman Crothers, THE SHINING). After Jason is bailed out, he tells David that he has a great deal for building their own casino/hotel on their own private island in Hawaii. David is of course skeptical right from the start. However, Jason has two devoted followers his girl Sally (Ellen Burstyn, ALICE DOESN'T LIVE HERE ANYMORE) and his younger girl Jessica (Julia Anne Robinson, only film performance), who dreams of being Miss America.
The story is a look at the weird dynamic between the two brothers and how David gets drawn in by Jason even though he knows he's full of it. In addition, the film deals with depression as it relates to inaction and self-deception. In the end, it's self-deception that can ruin us all.
Nicholson is amazing in the film, giving a performance so different than anything else I've seen him give. Dern also gives his best performance as a gifted, but clueless hustler. Burstyn also performs at top form.
Where the film suffers is its meandering tone, which is too aimless for its own good. The film is wonderfully subtle, but I wanted more. I think at times the film loses David in the flashiness of Jason. However, Rafelson brings poetry and quirkiness to the material that is captivating. The final shot of David at the train station is a sad metaphor for his and his brother's lives. The film is an unusual character piece about two lost souls who happen to be brothers.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
