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Poster for The Two Jakes

The Two Jakes

Seen it?

1990 | 137 min | Crime, Mystery, Thriller

Weeknight Watch

Why it’s a Weeknight Watch

With a lukewarm 6.0 out of 10 from audiences and a box office loss, it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for crime fans and anyone who likes to be kept guessing. If you loved Chinatown or L.A. Confidential, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Tense, gritty.
The pace
Fast-moving, at 2 hr 17 min.
What might put you off
Rated R: meant for adults.

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.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsSolid

    63% on Rotten Tomatoes, 56 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesBelow par

    6.0 out of 10

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Box office & staying powerBelow par

    $10 million worldwide on a $19 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactSolid

    About 117K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Jack Nicholson

  • Jack NicholsonJ.J. "Jake" Gittes
  • Harvey KeitelJulius "Jake" Berman
  • Meg TillyKitty Berman
  • Madeleine StoweLillian Bodine
  • Eli WallachCotton Weinberger
  • Rubén BladesMickey Nice
  • Frederic ForrestChuck Newty
  • David KeithDet. Lt. Loach
  • Richard FarnsworthEarl Rawley
  • Tracey WalterTyrone Otley