Description
Book SynopsisFor ten years Jack Nicholson toiled in low-budget films and guest spots in such television shows as Dr. Kildare and The Andy Griffith Show before his breakout performance in Easy Rider. Despite retiring in 2010, Nicholson remains one of the most revered actors of the last half century. Nominated for twelve Academy Awardsthe most of any male actorNicholson has received three Oscars and countless other honors. The Essential Jack Nicholson looks at the key films in the career of one of Hollywood's biggest stars. After a brief profile of the actor, James L. Neibaur highlights each of Nicholson's most important works, explaining why his performances are essential viewing. In addition to Easy Rider, the films discussed include Five Easy Pieces, The Last Detail, Chinatown, One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest, The Shining, Reds, Terms of Endearment, Prizzi's Honor, Ironweed, Batman, A Few Good Men, As Good as It Gets, About Schmidt, and The Departed. Neibaur also provides details about each fi
Trade ReviewNeibaur takes a balanced approach, noticing the weakness of some of Nicholson’s early films but providing perceptive commentary on the jewels.... [T]his is a good survey of an actor’s career, with some solid critical analysis and some very interesting coverage of the actor’s years working with legendary B-movie maestro Roger Corman. * Booklist *
