A Filmmaker's Guide to: Jack Nicholson

In this chapter of ‘the filmmaker’s guide’ we’re actually going to be learning about literature and film together. I understand that many of you are sitting in university during difficult times and finding it increasingly hard to study and I understand that many of you who are not at university or not planning on it are possibly stuck of what to do, need a break or even need to catch up on learning film before you get to the next level. This guide will be brief but will also contain: new vocabulary, concepts and theories, films to watch and we will be exploring something taboo until now in the ‘filmmaker’s guide’ - academia (abyss opens). Each article will explore a different concept of film, philosophy, literature or bibliography/filmography etc. in order to give you something new to learn each time we see each other. You can use some of the words amongst family and friends to sound clever or you can get back to me (email in bio) and tell me how you’re doing. So, strap in and prepare for the filmmaker’s guide to film studies because it is going to be one wild ride.

Jack Nicholson

Who is he?

Jack Nicholson is known as one of the most versatile and talented actors of all time. With roles ranging from detectives all the way to some of the most iconic villains in cinemativ history - Jack Nicholson is a powerhouse talent of American Cinema.

Born on the 22nd of April, 1937 - Jack Nicholson was made to believe that his grandmother was his mother and his mother was his sister whilst growing up in New Jersey. It has since been debated as to whether Jack Nicholson actually knows the identity of his biological father or not - but I think this debate is odd because a) he would know whether he actually knows and b) who cares what the identity of his father is if he himself does not? Anyways, he was raised a Roman Catholic. By the time he was in High School, he was regularly in detention for being the 'class clown' and acting up. The theatre at his high school has since been named after him.

What has he done?

I think the better question here is what has Jack Nicholson not done. His filmography is extensive as it is brilliant, never really seeming to make what you would call a 'bad' move in cinema - Jack Nicholson has always worked to the very best of his abilities and those abilities are also better than most other actors too. At the start of his career, Jack Nicholson portrayed Jimmy in a really good movie called "The Cry Baby Killer" (1958) and worked his way up from there.

Let's have a look at a selection of his great films. I say selection because there are far too many to include here, honestly I have seen my great fair share of Jack Nicholson movies, even from his earliest acting roles:

Greatest Works

Easy Rider (1969)

"Easy Rider" (1969) is a film about travelling and drugs in which Jack Nicholson portrays George Hanson alongside the actors Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper. It was a brilliant chance for Jack Nicholson to stand on his own opposite two legends and he really did hold his own. This has to be one of the first Jack Nicholson films I saw and it was freaking awesome.

Chinatown (1974)

Jake Gaines is perhaps one of the most famous characters in mid-20th century cinema because of the fact that not only is it one of Jack Nicholson's most famous roles, but also, unlike Nicholson's usual requests this character is a private investigator. Slick, with a side of an aittitude problem, this created the myth of Jack Nicholson being able to play any character which led on from his role in "Easy Rider" (1969).

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)

Jack Nicholson portrays the cinematic icon of institutional based films everywhere - Randal 'R.P' McMurphy. More recently, Sarah Paulson has starred in a spin-off/prequel to this film entitled "Ratched" where she portrays the villainous Nurse Ratched from the Nicholson film. The film's ending might be a bit upsetting but the film itself is pure cinematic genius and has now historically been called one of the greatest films of all time.

The Shining (1980)

Possibly one of the greatest and most iconic roles he ever portrayed - Jack Torrance has something slightly off about him and when he starts his job at the overlook hotel with his family living in the now closed spaces, he catches a bought of cabin fever and the horror ensues. A captivating performance that has since gone down as one of the most terrifying film performances in all of history - Jack Nicholson gives one of his best and most overbearing depictions of madness, villainy and violence.

Batman (1989)

When I was a little girl, possibly about five to seven years' old, this film used to scare the daylights out of me purely because of Jack Nicholson. Later on, it would become one of my top ten favourite films of all time, again purely because of Jack Nicholson. The perfect Joker character, he set the bar for people like Heath Ledger to come and imitate the laugh, or people like Joaquin Phoenix to pay homage to the dancing. One of the most iconic roles of his career - this is remembered as not only one of his greatest films, but one of the greatest films of all time. It was the start of a new era and it was thanks to Jack Nicholson.

Conclusion

Practically perfecting every single role you can think of - Jack Nicholson is a man way ahead of his time. Bringing a great amount of realism and a darkness to the roles, he is often able to capture very complex emotional situations incredibly well. I sure as hell hope he has not retired and if he is, nobody tell me.