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The Two Jakes (1990)

R  |   |  Crime, Drama, Mystery  |  10 August 1990 (USA)
6.1
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Ratings: 6.1/10 from 8,090 users   Metascore: 56/100
Reviews: 49 user | 34 critic | 17 from Metacritic.com

The sequel to Chinatown (1974) finds Jake Gittes investigating adultery and murder... and the money that comes from oil.

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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...
...
...
...
Cotton Weinberger
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Michael 'Mickey Nice' Weisskopf
...
Chuck Newty
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...
Earl Rawley
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Tyrone Otley
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Jeff Morris ...
Ralph Tilton
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Gladys
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Storyline

After the war, L.A. private eye Jake Gittes is hired by realtor Jake Berman. He proves the infidelity of Berman's wife Kitty and sets up a way for her to be caught in the act. At the rendezvous, Berman shoots the co-respondent who turns out to be his business partner. Gittes finds himself in the middle of a complicated web, under pressure from all sides for a wire recording of the fatal encounter. He then realises that the land the partners were developing was once an orange grove connected with a case he has never quite got over. Written by Jeremy Perkins <jwp@aber.ac.uk>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

They say money makes the world go round. But sex was invented before money.


Certificate:

R | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

10 August 1990 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Barrio chino 2  »

Box Office

Budget:

$19,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$10,005,969 (USA)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

(35 mm prints)| (70 mm prints)

Color:

(Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Tom Waits:  Uncredited, as a plain clothes police detective. See more »

Goofs

In the courtroom scene (approx. 1:56 in) the DA's left lapel goes from folded under to out flat. See more »

Quotes

Khan: You are very successful.
Jake Gittes: Oh, I can't complain.
Khan: Does that mean you are happy?
Jake Gittes: Who can answer that question off the top of their head?
Khan: Anyone who's happy.
See more »

Connections

Follows Chinatown (1974) See more »

Soundtracks

Don't Smoke In Bed
Written by Willard Robison
Sung by Peggy Lee
See more »

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User Reviews

Adequate Sequel to "Chinatown"
4 November 2000 | by (United States) – See all my reviews

"The Two Jakes" is the sequel to "Chinatown", a film that really did not need another chapter. However, with that said this is an above average film that works most of the time. Jack Nicholson returns and is sucked into another web of deception and corruption. He is hired by Harvey Keitel to follow his two-timing wife (a very sexy Madeleine Stowe). Just like before, the more Nicholson learns about his case, the stranger and more complicated it becomes. Everything will lead to fireworks which involves a housing development and oil-drilling in the Los Angeles area. Like "Chinatown", "The Two Jakes" is multi-layered and somewhat confusing at times. It will likely take multiple viewings to get the full effect of this film if you are unable to get it on the first try. Robert Towne's screenplay is smart, but Nicholson's direction lacks the creativity and overall brilliance of Roman Polanski's. Meg Tilly is adequate in the film. Ruben Blades and Richard Farnsworth both do good work, but overall nothing in this film can match what was accomplished 16 years earlier with its predecessor. 3.5 out of 5 stars.


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