The King of Marvin Gardens poster & wallpaper

Jack Nicholson, Bruce Dern, Ellen Burstyn

One of the most subtle and deeply felt--if ultimately downbeat--collaborations between Jack Nicholson and director Bob Rafelson, this film was Rafelson's follow-up to Five Easy Pieces. Nicholso...( read more  read more... )n plays a disc jockey whose withdrawn personality translates to radio mystery. But he's out of his depth when he goes home to Atlantic City at the invitation of ne'er-do-well brother Bruce Dern. Dern has a big-money scam that's also high risk, particularly to himself if the black-crime syndicate he's ripping off ever gets wind of it. But Nicholson gets swept up in the blarney of his charismatic older brother, even as he suffers gnawing doubts about the way Big Bro treats his lady friends (including Ellen Burstyn). Low-key but evocative, this is the kind of movie that has you remembering images and moments and feeling for Nicholson's dilemma, long after you've seen it. --Marshall Fine

Flixster Users

55% liked it

1,369 ratings

Critics

71% liked it

17 critics

R, 1 hr. 44 min.

Directed by: Bob Rafelson

Release Date: October 12, 1972

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DVD Release Date: April 25, 2000

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Stats: 61 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (61)

  • SageSlowdive
    October 10, 2009
    SageSlowdive
    Hard to like it, but I did.
  • JATbobDYLAN93
    October 1, 2008
    JATbobDYLAN93
    It Was ok. Jackie was not so good here.
  • DavidC78
    August 5, 2008
    DavidC78
    Como siempre Nicholson el mejor de la pelìcula
  • pbreiter1
    July 8, 2008
    pbreiter1
    An amazing film for acting and surprise turns.
  • Keaven
    June 27, 2007
    Keaven
    Recommended by; Wasawat.
  • wasawato
    June 27, 2007
    wasawato
    Bob Rafelson's second exploration of contemporary alienation.. 1st was "Five Easy Pieces" That is really a masterpiece of 70's Independent Drama Movie.. This was not that great but still it's good and interesting.. Rafelson had his own way to tell the story.. The Beginning Scene ...( read more)was amazing and clever. Finally filled with sentimental imply.. Jack Nicholson, Bruce Dern did good jobs. I really love Ellen Burstyn's disturbing charactor!! She should have been a nominee in Best Supporting Actress for this charactor! Laszlo Kovacs captured some remarkable photography.. suited with Rafelson's story like he did in "Five Easy Pieces".

    I love Rafelson's works.. He always remind us about something we can't explain but we can feel it.. He's a Unique Searcher of American indy Cinema!!

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Critic Reviews

October 23, 2004
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Bob Rafelson's The King of Marvin Gardens is a perversely satisfying movie -- it works after going out of its way not to -- and a very eccentric one. full review

View more The King of Marvin Gardens reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments

  • tubelad
    June 2, 2007
    tubelad
    The 'miss america' organ music played when they're on the trolley in Atlantic City's Convention Hall is just amazing
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