The Chinatown Sequel You (Probably) Haven’t Seen
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- Опубликовано: 19 ноя 2023
- In the first of a new video essay series called Strange Sequels, Luís Azevedo investigates the suitably shaggy story of 1990 #Chinatown sequel #TheTwoJakes.
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Don't forget that Who Framed Roger Rabbit is basically the third movie to Chinatown.
Second.
Now I can't help but imagine Bob Hoskins playing Gides in the first film. In which the "She's my daughter. She's my sister." dialogue is delivered in Roger Rabbit's voice. Hey, it could have been a great film too.
Nice 😂
The Red Cars!!!!!
Considering the circumstances under which it was made, the movie turned out pretty well. Having to write dialogue for the next day doesn't give you any time to review your work.
Two Jakes tied loose ends. I LOVE IT
I had The Two Jakes on VHS tape for years. I have seen the movie in over twenty years, might watch it again over this long weekend.
Not a bad movie.
Do watch Chinatown before watching The Two Jakes, so a long weekend for that is definitely a must.
At 12:25, see the scar on "Jakes" nose from knife cut in Chinatown. That's detail. Only Eastwood could act and direct the way Nicholson wanted.
Robert Towne wrote "Mission Impossible"!
huge success actually
If they'd just let Towne write it, Nicholson star in it, Evans produce it, and someone of the caliber of Polanski direct it, it likely could have been very good, and likely a success.
But Towne lost his mojo and could not write it in time. Evans had no longer the control of things he had control of in 1974. And good luck finding a director of the caliber of Polanski (who actually 'rewrote' Chinatown as he directed it, removing the VO narration Towne had written and turning it into a first-person POV-Polanski was influenced by Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe character-by placing Nicholson directly in each and every scene, telling the story completely linearly, and shooting much of it over the shoulder).
What made it work was structure. Polanski took all the great pieces of the story and the great actors and cobbled it all together in a way that made it a masterpiece of cinema. He was the glue. Evans is who gave him the opportunity to express that vision without the meddling of the studio.
Towne was a brilliant writer in his day. Nicholson was a brilliant actor in his day. Neither of them could direct at the level of Polanski. Editing and producing were also not their métier. Not everybody who is great at one thing is necessarily great at anything else. The Two Jakes proves this. Nicholson and Towne each thinking they could be a director and Nicholson thinking he could be a writer? Uh, no. That's the functional equivalent of a great plumber thinking he can be a great orthodontist. Or vice versa.
Filmmaking is a collaborative artistic effort. Chinatown worked bc all the stars aligned in the early 70's. The Two Jakes never worked bc each and every star was misaligned during its creation. Also, the character arc of Jake Gittes had completed, had come to a conclusion already. Towne likely could not write a sequel bc the story of Jake Gittes was already over.
Chinatown will always be my favorite movie ever. I consider it the best movie ever made, better than Casablanca and everything else. But I could not have been more disappointed by The Two Jakes.
The only sequel that really ever worked was The Godfather II, and that worked partly bc the stars remained aligned, but mostly bc it was taken from Puzo's original novel. For GF I, Coppola took the middle part of the book. GF II was made from what was left over, which was already written, and already a great story. GF III did not work bc the story had been told and no one could write such a story like Puzo had.
'The Teleplay', which was what was presented on television, took both I and II apart and stitched the story back together linearly, like it appeared in the novel. Presented like a miniseries, that worked also, bc I and II were already good.
I love when Nicholson directs. It gets personal. I love when Tommy Lee Jones and John Torturro direct. Great stuff to be found. Only one moment in The Two Jakes I had an issue with. The young girlfriend showing up late in the film. I think she should have been older. And stay for the end titles. That really hit me. Perfection. The Two Jakes on it's own is just fine. And I have searched and searched for that desk lamp he had in his office. I also have a quad size French poster for The Two Jakes, and it's gorgeous. And warm.
Nowhere near Chinatown level but it's a good movie and I'm glad that it does exist.
The more you love and understand what makes Chinatown such a great film the more dissappointed you will be by The Two Jakes. It fails on almost every possible level- the story, the acting, the direction are underwhelming at best. So many big and little things are wrong. Seeing Jake Gittes (who is among my favorite film characters of all time and IMO JN's best performance ever) in The Two Jakes makes me want to cry. The trick to a masterpiece is knowing when to put the brush down.
The third Chinatown is called "Who Framed Roger Rabit".
I love this movie. It is an excellent sequel and a woefully unappreciated film noir gem in its own right.
I enjoy The Two Jakes quite a bit. It's nowhere near as good as Chinatown, but Chinatown is also one of those pinnacle films that don't come out too often....
But why the _long_ wait ? It’s like Mel Brooks doing a sequel for History of the World (which he did btw)
@@sawtooth808 it explains in the video why it took so long to get made. Robert Towne is a notoriously slow writer and a number of other behind the scenes delays...
I actually like this film. Is it as good as the original? No. The original is an absolute masterpiece. But this was good and it avoided the cardinal sin of just "remaking" the original film. This is an actual sequel.
It was interesting, I’ll give you that. More interesting than most sequels. But I don’t think it was good. The story was close to unfashionable, much of the dialogue was terribly corny, the tie-ins with the original were cringy and the cast was subpar. Bad actors in some of the main roles and even had one of his least memorable roles. Nicholson wasn’t good either.
I agree, it's a pretty good movie.
I never heard of it before. I just watched it. Excellent film noir. A good sequel.
Actually, I remember Jack Nicholson finally making The Two Jakes to avoid being sued by Paramount. Evans & Towne got him into this mess and since he was the only one with any money, the studio went after Jack!! That said, The Two Jakes turned out to be a great film. Nicholson directed the hell out of it and the cinematography is moody and lush. Okay, the script wasn't perfect. Few scripts are. And the casting wasn't exact. Keitel is miscast in an under written role. However, Nicholson's voice over only served to elevate the material. It also helped to make The Two Jakes it's own film and not just a copy of Chinatown.
It's sad we will never get the third chapter of this trilogy, but atleast we got a worthy sequel out of all that chaos.
1990 also saw long awaited sequels not just to Chinatown, but to The Godfather, The Last Picture Show and Rocky. Out of all of them, The Two Jakes was the best.
The end of this video shows that you have a wonderful sense of humor. I laughed heartily!
I watched them in reverse order and I loved both of them.
Great essay and very pleasant to watch!
So, one day in the late 80's I was driving down Vermont Avenue in Hollywood and I noticed a movie being filmed in front of a restaurant. You could see the 1940's vintage cars and extras costumed on the sidewalk. I parked my car, and wandered onto the "set". I didn't realize I wasn't supposed to be there; there were no security people stopping me. I walked right up to where the camera was - there was the name Vilmos Zsigmond written on tape on the side of the camera. Elsewhere, I could see the name of the movie "The Two Jakes.". And there was Jack Nicholson setting up the scene. The scene was the car pulling up to the restaurant. They did a run through. Made a few changes. By this time, I was standing next to Nicholson. They did another run through. And now Nicholson was turning to me, and saying, "How'd that look, look ok?" I nodded. Vilmos made some suggestions. It suddenly occurred to me that a lot of people were probably wondering who I was, and why was Nicholson checking with me. I became VERY self-aware, and it seemed like everyone was looking at me.... so I stepped away from the camera and the set and slowly tried to fade into the background.
The Two Jakes was a strong B on it's own merits. Yes, it fell short of the great. Yes, it's aping the original. I honestly showed up for some Jake Noir, and it was delivered. To me different enough that it's distinct points make it valuable on it's own IMHO.
This was a good sequel, if you can pardon it's not in the same class or on the same level. Nicholson did a good job of directing. It was more like a jazz riff: good fun was had by all.
I seem to recall that it went overboard with the convoluted clues such that if you missed a line of dialogue you were likely to be all at sea for the rest of the movie.
Nicholson, good director and actor that he is, had no talent for story-telling, and Gittes is more like a clown. There is no tension in the plot or interest in the characters, nothing clicks underneath. It's a doodling exercise in male bonding.@@TankUni
I think I’m definitely in the minority when I say that I kinda like The Two Jakes. Don’t get me wrong, it’s no Chinatown, but if that is what anyone honestly expected from it then that person was dreaming lol. In my opinion, given that it took nearly 20 years to make and that Jack Nicholson had to step in and direct as well as star after the writer & original director Robert Towne left the project (I believe not too long before filming was to begin no less 😱) it’s sort of a miracle it’s watchable at all. It’s too bad that it was hated by most critics and was a box office flop as well, it pretty much guaranteed that we would never see a 3rd and final film to complete Robert Townes’ original idea from back in the 70s of a doing a trilogy, with each film being about specific industry (water in Chinatown, oil & gas in The Two Jakes) & the secret power structures that control those resources.
I thought Towne said the third one was about the development of the highway infrastructure?
@@TheNameisPlissken1981 he might very well have, I dunno, but it makes sense. I listened to an audio commentary a long time ago on one of the DVD versions with him and director David Fincher that was pretty interesting, maybe he mentions it somewhere in there. I’ll have to dust that DVD off lol 😂
My main impression of The Two Jakes was that Madeline Stowe was a versatile and talented actress and was also the most attractive woman in movies at that time.
🤪🔥 *Madeline 😘 Stowe* 🔥🤪
Mine was a lament that men no longer clean a dinner jacket to go out for cocktails.
She is a wonderful actress, woefully underused in films. She projects an intelligence and seductiveness that are rare in Hollywood.
@@martinsorenson1055 She was great in 12 Monkeys.
I wonder how much is that she had early success as did her husband and they pt their money away wisely? I wonder how much is that film does not know how to use older women? I wonder if some of it isn't that she has not been offered character roles to this point because she is attractive but might overcome some of that as she gets older? She was very versatile, believable as heroes or villains, in drama or comedyr @@martinsorenson1055
It's so sad how he still misses Evelyn. I just watched the movie, not good, not bad. Came for Jack as JJ Gittes, stayed for Jack as JJ Gittes.
Madeleine Stowe in period wardrobe is the only reason to watch this thing
It suits her really well
Simps
Love Chinatown my favourite movie.
I see David Fincher is set to make a prequel to Chinatown for Netflix, sounds interesting.
I thought at the time that it was a great piece of cinema and I still do. Very clever observation on your part.
Great video
chinatown was perfect. no sequel needed.
It was later conceived to be the opening of a trilogy, but yes it should have just been a standalone film
Chinatown still is perfect. Even if you don't like The Two Jakes, that has no effect on the greatness of Chinatown... the line of thinking where a sequel that isn't as good as the original movie somehow ruins the greatness of the original movie is such a silly way to think.
No mention of the beautifullest and best actress, Madeleine Stowe? That is a crime.
really good job.
Forget it, the two Jakes. It's double chinatown.
Actually Evans brought over Polanski from the UK where he had directed three films, one of which was Repulsion.
I saw the tickets he bought. They read Warsaw
@@TheAtoZReviewBlog Really? Sure it wasn’t Łódź? Do your research before commenting, Polanski was already living in London (West Eaton Place Mews to be exact) and had made three films in the UK. In fact according to both Evans’ and Polanski’s recollections, the former gave the galleys of Rosemary’s Baby to Polanski and said that if he didn’t like the book, his next ski trip was on him.
I stand corrected.
The mistake wasn't to make a sequel, the mistake was not to make a prequel to Chinatown. Let's find out what happened to Jake Gittes as a street cop assigned to patrol Chinatown that scrambled his mind.
the shining is not self parody, its his best role.
I've a story that he was sitting for an interview and when called to the set he stated "time to go be Jack"
Tbf-- here's an element of self parody, but very much just as with Jagger and Clint, it's a key part of the magic, coz it let's ya know they totally get the joke,
I haven't seen 'The Two Jakes', but the estimable American critic Jonathan Rosenbaum actually prefers it to 'Chinatown', though he is no big fan of either film.
Robert Evans' name is in the news again in light of actress Sharon Stone's allegations that he pressured her to become intimate with co-star William Baldwin during the production of the 1993 feature 'Sliver' (she declined).
I like second film too.
Good movie, but it helps to see Chinatown to understand the story, I didn’t see Chinatown, then again I was 14 when I saw this in a theater.
Bonkers ending with radioactive implants ffs 😂
"The Two Jakes" isn't bad at all, and it's fun for fans of "Chinatown". It ain't "Chinatown", though. I guess that's all to say about it.
So what would Gittes vs Gittes have been about?
I actually thought the two jakes was a stand alone film, never saw Chinatown.
May I ask, what is the film here of an actor playing the Robert Evans? He's well cast.
“The Offer” the making of The Godfather
I liked it. Its not Chinatown. But few sequels are up to their parent.
Havent seen it, but remember its release.
I was actually alive in 1989
Bold of you to assume I havent.
i like this movie
*Everybody can kiss my ass (if necessary)... **_The Two Jakes_** was Fuq'n Cool & quite entertaining. THIS RUclips video is very well done! **#Subscribed* 🤓
_Cheers from __#CancúnMéxico_ 🍻🤘🏽🇲🇽
Funny thing is: they DID do a sequel of The Graduate...
It’s pretty good.
I think Nicholson did the best he could with what he had. No Polanski, no Faye (voiceover aside), a weak script by Towne (who by the late 80s was a shadow of his former self), and a coked-out Evans trying to recapture the magic of "Chinatown." Sadly, the 70s were long over. And the final product is over-indulgent and confusing. But Harvey's performance is excellent and the final scene is equal parts powerful and haunting.
I genuinely enjoyed The Two Jakes.
Seen it
Honestly I really like The Two Jakes. It's not nearly as good as Chinatown, but I really enjoyed the plot and Harvey Keitel.
Boris Batinov is narrating😅
Saw it....
i liked the two Jakes more than chinatown.
Bruh
I have seen the Two Jakes, but never seen China Town
All I have to say about Chinatown is Forget It.
@@darthkek1953I see what you did there 😉
Chinatown is my favorite movie, shame about the director though.
Ah the cotton club and it's legendary 😂 catering bill 💵💸💵💸
Yeah, The Two Jakes (1990) wasn't very good. Watched it a few years (when I also watched Chinatown (1974) for the first time) and I barely remember a thing about it.
Didn't know the story behind it, though. Very interesting!
It was better than some people give it credit for. For one thing, it was an actual "sequel" as opposed to the standard practice of remaking classic films.
@@Shadowman4710 Very true and it's an underrated gem.
i watched this and it read as gibberish; i'd try it again but i just think it's pretty bad
Too bad they didn't have Sutter Crane as their Script Doctor.
That would have been madness.
The 2 jakes were plain sh...t.
I'll never forget my disappointment when I saw The Two Jakes. Awful. Unbelievable that the same screenwriter and Nicholson were involved.
The problem was: This was just not a great film like the original. It was entertaining, but no Cigar. [mentioning the era.] There's more than one problem with Chinatown II, including that the direction is no where near Polanski's peak of brilliance. The movie though doesn't sell us on the atmospheric beautiful tone of the 1930s like the original does, it doesn't make the post war 40s seem as wonderful. It's like when Columbo came back in the 80s. The magic of the cast was there, but the charm of the iconic original was lost, or at least not up to par nearly with the original show. I love theres something else to watch but, it isnt the REAL Chinatown. They ought to have instead maintained this air of the film noir 30s--- even set it int he 30s again,l possibly not continued the Mulwray story line, or continued it, a little, and showed what happened after the original movie, though Nicholson being older was a problem. Chinatown III Gitties vs Gitties would have been great. ---I can only imagine, its a split personality? However I will say, though I enjoyed the original film some 10 times, after that, it seems to loose its charm in rewatching when you know every scene. A lot in it depends on reveals, especially the main story, so when you know it well, it's not surprising anymore, but the first time you watch it, you're totally wrapped up int he film. And, although the clean shaven John Houston seems menacing, he also kindof seems like an old man in the film, and not REALLY a scary villain, I guess.
Well I saw The Two Jakes, and it SUCKED. But there were a couple good scenes.
Was not crazy about either film
It's not a bad film, but it's just that at best it's a mediocre one. Part of the problem is the story is significantly weaker than Chinatown's. Nicholson actually did a decent job of directing it, not up to Polanski's level - but given the problems with production - he rose to the occasion. I suppose another problem is the big gap between this film and the original.
I recently watched 2 jakes and I've seen it before many years ago when it came out and my conclusions were the same it is a terrible movie it's quite surprising cause it's very badly directed by Nicholson himself but it just is terrible especially compared to the original chinatown directed by the great great roman polanski again I fact I was surprised I terrible I recently just debacle
ITS NOT TERRIBLE LIKE YOU SAY IT IS NOT GREAT EITHER GOS ON TOO LONGG IVE SEEN WORSE SEQUELS THAN THIS STILL BETTER THAN ANYTHING TODAY YOU CANT BEAT CHINATOWN ONE OF JACKS BEST EVER FILMS IM ABIG FAN OF HIS FIRST TIME WATCHING IT I FELT THE SAME DISSAPOINTED WATCHED AGAIN AND THOUGHT NOT TOO BAD HARVEY KEITEL BEING IN IT HELPED TOO HATE THE ENDING
Great, great.
2 jakes is a terrible movie and not worth 5 secs of comment
I did see it. It sucked.
It was a bad movie ... outch
The sequel stinks. If it were any good you'd have seen it.
Jack nicholsons such a shitty actor, he just plays himself and reads lines with no character
Thumbs down for the music. Why did you spoil it?
BS. hack criticism, it was a very good movie. Those who can't do become critics.
@Little White Lies Please use a different Narrator next time. This Narrator can barely speak English and has a heavy accent which takes away from the clarity and nuance of the Narration and at times is even difficult to understand what he's saying. I understand you want to give this channel a different vibe which is fine but at least keep the English Narration understandable and clear for people who don't want to have to strain to hear a word/words over heavy accented spoken English.
Settle down.
The narration is fine. The glass is not empty. Be greatful.
God, the entitlement in this comment is just cringey 😬
I like Harvey Keitel. I enjoyed the Two Jakes at the time of its release, but of course, it was no Chinatown. The Big Lebowski clip at the end of this is what? Some "aren't I clever" attempt at an in-joke? This channel is not as perceptive as it thinks it is. Not liked; not subscribed.
This needs a new proper intelligble narrator.
The current voiceover is unclear in not enunciating words properly. Combined with a script that uses "he" repeatedly when not clear which male referring to means it is too hard to follow the plot.
This essay should be a simple clear exposition along an obvious chronological order. It's not hard. Yet, somehow that isn't the case "with whole decades going by" yet no-one knowing which, when and how.
In toto, this incomprehensible narration loses viewers before the end (check your stats). Whilst those who stay the course, if quizzed, would reveal they hadn't really comprehended the analysis. Meaning it was all pretty much a waste of time in coming off half-cock.
30 seconds in: "To be fair, you have to have a very high IQ to have heard of The Two Jakes. The film is extremely rare, and without a solid grasp of theoretical cinephilia most of the film's existence will go over a typical viewer's head."