The Two Jakes Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Jake Gittes, older and wiser, gets tangled in adultery, murder, and oil, but mostly just misses Faye Dunaway and deals with two Jakes instead of one, creating a confusing mess only enjoyable if you squint really hard and remember Chinatown fondly.

🍿 The Two Jakes: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A New Case: Adultery and Murder

In 1948 Los Angeles, private investigator Jake Gittes is hired by real estate developer Jake Berman to gather evidence of his wife Kitty’s infidelity. Gittes sets up a wire in a motel room, but the situation escalates when Berman bursts in and shoots Kitty’s lover, Mark Bodine, dead. This seemingly open-and-shut case quickly unravels, drawing Gittes into a complex web of deceit and hidden motives.

Unraveling the Conspiracy

As Gittes investigates, he discovers that Bodine was Berman’s business partner in a real estate development. The wire recording contains a mysterious reference to Katherine Mulwray, a name that triggers painful memories for Gittes from his past involvement in the Chinatown case. Gittes begins to suspect that the murder was premeditated and tied to a larger conspiracy involving land, oil, and powerful figures.

Oil, Land, and Hidden Identities

Gittes uncovers evidence of illegal oil drilling beneath Berman’s housing development, orchestrated by the ruthless oil baron Earl Rawley. He also learns that the land was once an orange grove and that Katherine Mulwray holds the mineral rights. As Gittes delves deeper, he uncovers a shocking truth: Kitty Berman is actually Katherine Mulwray, the daughter of Evelyn Mulwray from Chinatown. This revelation connects the past and present, forcing Gittes to confront his unresolved issues.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Jake Gittes (Jack Nicholson): The private detective finds himself entangled in a complex web of adultery, murder, and real estate schemes, haunted by the ghosts of his past.
• Jake Berman (Harvey Keitel): The real estate developer hires Gittes to investigate his wife, leading to a chain of events involving murder and hidden motives.
• Kitty Berman (Meg Tilly): Berman’s wife who is seemingly involved in an affair, but is secretly Katherine Mulwray, daughter of Evelyn Mulwray from ‘Chinatown’.
• Lillian Bodine (Madeleine Stowe): The widow of Mark Bodine, becomes involved with Gittes.
• Cotton Weinberger (Eli Wallach): The high-price attorney represents Jake Berman, navigating the legal complexities of the case.
• Earl Rawley (Richard Farnsworth): The wealthy and ruthless oil man who is suspected to be drilling under Berman’s development.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Jake Gittes: “In this town, I’m the leper with the most fingers.” – Gittes explains his reputation as someone who knows the dark secrets of Los Angeles.
• Jake Gittes: “You may think you know what’s going on around here, but you don’t.” – Gittes warns about the deceptive nature of the case and hidden layers of corruption.
• Jake Gittes: “The past never goes away.” – Said to Katherine/Kitty Mulwray, reflecting on how past events continue to haunt and influence their present.
• Jake Berman: “Sex was invented before money.” – Berman’s cynical observation highlights the intertwined nature of lust, power, and financial greed in the story.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $19,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $10,005,969
• Worldwide Gross: $10,005,969

💥 The Two Jakes Reviews

Personal Review

I have mixed feelings about ‘The Two Jakes.’ I was so excited to see what happened to Jake Gittes after ‘Chinatown’, but this movie is definitely a confusing ride. I wanted it to capture the same dark magic as its predecessor, but it just feels like a pale imitation. Still, Nicholson is great, and the ending with the house explosion left me with an uneasy feeling. Worth a watch if you’re a die-hard ‘Chinatown’ fan, but don’t expect perfection.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of film noir”
  • “Those who enjoyed Chinatown”
  • “Viewers interested in crime dramas with complex plots”
  • “Jack Nicholson and Harvey Keitel fans”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Mature themes”
  • “Brief nudity”
  • “Strong language”

Professional Reviews

• Chicago Sun-Times: “Ebert states that it’s not the classic Chinatown is, but it’s a damned good movie. It’s about the past, how it pervades our lives for the rest of our days, and how we assimilate it into our futures.
• IMDb: “One reviewer says that the dialogue is pleasantly hardboiled and the actors enjoy delivering it, but the resolutions of the various mysteries mostly fall flat. You either see them coming, or don’t understand when they arrive.

Audience Reactions

Fans appreciate Jack Nicholson reprising his role, even if the film doesn’t live up to the original’s brilliance.: Viewers acknowledge the film’s convoluted plot but commend the acting and atmosphere.

Overall Consensus: A flawed but intriguing sequel to ‘Chinatown,’ with strong performances but a complex and sometimes confusing storyline.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Robert Towne originally wanted Robert Evans to play Jake Berman, but Jack Nicholson objected, leading to creative conflicts.”
• “Jack Nicholson directed the film, taking over from Robert Towne, who was initially slated to direct. This was Nicholson’s third and, as of 2024, last directorial effort.”
• “The film was released 16 years after Chinatown, contributing to audience expectations and comparisons.”
• “Originally, Robert Towne envisioned a trilogy of J.J. Gittes films chronicling Los Angeles history, with ‘Chinatown’ about water, ‘The Two Jakes’ about oil, and a third unmade film, ‘Cloverleaf,’ about air pollution and the freeway system.”
• “The recurring earthquakes in the film were included as a metaphor for the underlying tensions and instability within the characters and the city itself.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Two Jakes?

The Two Jakes is currently available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play. Check your preferred streaming service for availability and pricing.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Two Jakes, you might like these similar films:

• Chinatown (1974): Direct sequel to ‘The Two Jakes,’ featuring the same character and exploring similar themes of corruption in Los Angeles.
• L.A. Confidential (1997): Modern neo-noir film set in 1950s Los Angeles, dealing with corruption, crime, and complex characters.
• The Long Goodbye (1973): Neo-noir film that subverts the classic private eye archetype, featuring a morally ambiguous detective in a complex plot.
• Mulholland Drive (2001): Modern neo-noir with a complex, dreamlike narrative exploring themes of identity and illusion in Hollywood.

🛒 The Two Jakes Related Products

• Chinatown (Collector’s Edition) [Blu-ray]: Relive the original masterpiece to fully appreciate the Two Jakes; features commentary, documentaries, and behind-the-scenes footage to enhance the viewing experience.
• Raymond Chandler: The Big Sleep: Dive deeper into the world of noir with Raymond Chandler’s classic novel that inspired the genre; explore the themes of corruption, mystery, and moral ambiguity that influenced both Chinatown and Two Jakes
• Vintage Style Fedora Hat: Embrace Jake Gittes’ iconic style with a classic fedora hat; made with high-quality felt and designed for a timeless, stylish look.
• Los Angeles 1940s: Historical Archive: Explore a collection of historical maps, photographs, and documents from 1940s Los Angeles to immerse yourself in the world of Two Jakes.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Two Jakes features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Don’t Smoke In Bed” – performed by Peggy Lee

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Jo Stafford – Haunted Heart (Capitol Records 1950)

Ever wondered about that hauntingly beautiful song playing during the end credits of ‘The Two Jakes’? This video dives into the history of “Haunted Heart” and Jo Stafford, the incredible singer behind it. It’s a surprisingly captivating tune with a rich backstory!

‘Chinatown’ analysis (1974)–The film’s symbolism finally explained.

Thinking of watching ‘The Two Jakes’ but haven’t seen ‘Chinatown’ yet? Or maybe you did, but need a refresher? This video breaks down all the important themes and symbolism in ‘Chinatown’ so you can truly appreciate the sequel. Honestly, it’s super insightful!

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