It Gets Better With Every Viewing
This is the first of six Bob Rafelson and Jack Nicholson collaborations, and according to Rafelson the first of an informal trilogy (Five Easy Pieces, The King Of Marvin Gardens and Blood And Wine) where Nicholson plays, in sequence, son, brother and father. I've watched this several times now and it's easy to see why Nicholson became such a big star - his acting is top notch here and something new in Nicholson's performance shines through with each viewing. At the time of it's release, it spoke to a confused, angry generation that didn't seem to fit in anywhere - and it couldn't be more relevant today. Nicholson can turn from raging to sullen to amiable at the drop of a hat, and you're with him every second (see the classic 'diner scene' for a concise example). His Bobby Dupea character is a tragic figure on an emotional island - you see him struggle with the Blue Collar mentality and wrestle with high-brow pomposity. Quite a sad film, I must say - and the ending's ambiguity couldn't be more apt (I don't want to give it away). Genius!