The Two Jakes
Real estate developer Jake Berman hires private investigator and war veteran Jake Gittes for some run-of-the-mill matrimonial work. After Berman shoots his wife's lover, who happens to be his business partner, Gittes is drawn into a web of conspiracy and deceit involving the oil reserves beneath Los Angeles. While investigating, Gittes hears a voice from his past that causes him to revisit a traumatic case in Chinatown.
Critics Sentiment
Major revelation that Kitty and Katherine Mulwray are the same person
Gittes investigates Earl Rawley's possible illegal oil drilling operations
The film drops significantly during the convoluted oil drilling investigation in the middle act, then recovers strongly with the central revelation about Kitty's true identity.
The Two Jakes maintains strong atmosphere and period authenticity but suffers from pacing issues and an overly complex plot that loses many viewers in its middle section. While it never reaches the heights of Chinatown, the film recovers in its final act with emotional revelations and thematic depth about how the past shapes our lives. Most critics appreciated individual elements like Nicholson's performance and the 1940s setting while finding the overall experience frustratingly convoluted.
Full cast
Showing 20 of 57
Jack Nicholson
J.J. "Jake" Gittes
Harvey Keitel
Julius "Jake" Berman
Meg Tilly
Kitty Berman
Madeleine Stowe
Lillian Bodine
Eli Wallach
Cotton Weinberger
Rubén Blades
Mickey Nice
Frederic Forrest
Chuck Newty
David Keith
Det. Lt. Loach
Richard Farnsworth
Earl Rawley
Tracey Walter
Tyrone Otley
Joe Mantell
Lawrence Walsh
James Hong
Kahn
Perry Lopez
Captain Lou Escobar
Jeff Morris
Tilton
Rebecca Broussard
Gladys
Paul A. DiCocco Jr.
Liberty Levine
John Hackett
Mark Bodine
Rosie Vela
Linda
Allan Warnick
Rippey
Susan Forristal
Delores
Crew
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