Jack Nicholson is considered one of Hollywood’s biggest stars and a versatile actor who has appeared in iconic films such as: One flew over the cuckoo’s nest, ChinatownAnd The departed. The actor made his film debut as the lead in the teen drama “ The Cry Baby Killerbut his career only began with his performance In Easy Rider with Peter Fonda And Dennis Hopper.
Nicholson is known for portraying rebellious characters and delivering unforgettable performances in other outstanding films including The glow And Conditions of tenderness. From the actor’s extensive filmography These are Jack Nicholson’s 10 best filmsrated by Rotten Tomatoes.
Updated on June 12, 2023 by Hannah Saab:
Although it has been years since Jack Nicholson’s last film, the actor’s legacy continues to captivate and inspire fans around the world. Today, Jack Nicholson’s best films highlight his versatility and talent as one of Hollywood’s greatest.
10 “Prizzi’s Honor” (1985)
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 85%
Image via 20th Century Studios
One of Jack Nicholson’s best films that deserves more attention, Prizzi’s honor is about Charley, a hitman who is hired to kill a man in California. He manages to locate his target, but at the same time meets his wife Irene (Kathleen Turner). As Charley tries to balance his assignment and his new love interest, things get complicated when his boss gives him a new goal.
Prizzi’s honor is a dark comedy directed by John Huston with Robert Loggia, Anjelica Huston And Stanley Tucci in his film debut. In Huston’s memoirs: watch meShe remembered hearing someone say she wasn’t talented and claimed she was only cast because her father was the director and her boyfriend was the star. However, Huston had the last laugh when she won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her performance.
9 “The Passenger” (1975)
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 88%
United Artists
Journalist David Locke travels to North Africa to cover a recent civil war, but has difficulty moving forward with his story. He discovers the body of a businessman with whom he bears a striking resemblance and decides to assume his identity. But he soon finds himself in a dangerous situation when he learns that the man was a dangerous arms dealer.
The passenger is a conventional melodrama directed by Michelangelo Antonioni. The film also stars the French actor, Maria Schneider who was cast shortly after her Oscar nomination for her role in the 1972 film, Last tango in Paris with Marlon Brando.
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8 “The Final Detail” (1973)
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 89%
Columbia Pictures
Naval Lifeguards Billy and Richard (Otis Young) are given to the transport sailor Larry Meadows (Randy Quaid) from Virginia to Maine, where he will serve an eight-year prison sentence. To make the trip easier, the officers treat Meadows to various pit stops, but along the way they develop a bond that makes it difficult for the officers to complete their mission.
The final detail is an endlessly rewatchable dramedy based on the 1970 novel by Darryl Ponicsan. The film received three Oscar nominations, including Best Actor for Nicholson and Qauid for Best Supporting Actor. The final detail was nominated for the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival and earned Nicholson the festival’s award for best actor.
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7 “Five Simple Pieces” (1970)
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 89%
Columbia Pictures
Robert has traded his privileged upper-class life for a blue-collar job in the California oil fields and spends most of his time with his girlfriend Rayette (Karen Black). When Robert learns that his father is ill, he wants to reconnect with his family, but struggles with the inevitable and unpleasant situation of having to introduce his new life to his cultured family.
Five simple pieces is a 1970s classic directed by Bob Rafelson, who had directed Nicholson a year earlier Easy Rider. The director worked with Nicholson again The King of Marvin Garden and the 1981 remake of When the postman rings twice with Jessica Long. Five simple pieces received several Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Nicholson’s second nomination for Best Actor.
6 “Red” (1981)
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 90%
Image via Paramount Pictures
In 1915, journalist John Reed (Warren Beatty) meets the feminist Louise Bryant (Diane Keaton) and will soon be living together in New York. When Reed travels to the Soviet Union to cover the Boleshivk Revolution, their relationship is tested by distance and politics.
Red is a realistic historical drama about John Reedwho gained fame with his novel, Ten days that shook the world. To gain perspective on Reed and Bryant, director, Beatty chose to include interviews in the film that featured people who lived at the same time, providing audiences with important historical context.
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5 “The Departed” (2006)
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 91%
Image via Warner Bros.
Boston police officer Billy Costigan (Leonardo Dicaprio) goes undercover to infiltrate an organization run by crime boss Frank Costello. Meanwhile, state trooper Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon) secretly provided Costello with insider information. When they both realize there is a mole, their only hope of staying alive is to find out each other’s identities.
Leaded by Martin Scorsese, The departed is an exciting cat and mouse game which won four Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director. According to MovieWeb, Nicholson wanted The departed to be different from other traditional gangster films that led to the screenwriter, William Monahansuggesting that Nicholson’s character is based on the infamous Boston gangster, Whitey Bulger.
The departed
Release date October 5, 2006
director Martin Scorsese
Pour Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen, Ray Winstone
Evaluation R
Duration 150
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4 “Ride in the Whirlwind” (1966)
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 92%
Jack H Harris Enterprises
Cowboys, Wes, Vern (Cameron Mitchell) and Otis (Tom Feller) are mistaken for members of a group of outlaws who recently robbed a stagecoach and murdered the driver. The trio manages to escape a trip to the gallows, but they are forced to live their lives as outlaws with law enforcement on their trail.
Ride the whirlwind was written by Nicholson and explores the deadly consequences of blind justice in the Wild West. This often overlooked western film also stars actors and musicians, Harry Dean Stantonwho was known for his supporting roles in notable films, including Cool hand Luke, alienAnd Kelly’s heroes with Clint Eastwood.
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3 “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” (1975)
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 93%
Image via United Artists
RP McMurphy is transferred from a prison farm to a mental institution where he believes he can serve his sentence more comfortably, but his hopes are dashed by Nurse Ratched (Louise Fletcher), who keeps her abused patients under control and treats them with medication and electroshock therapy. When McMurphy rebels against the nurse and her staff, he begins to influence the other patients.
One flew over the cuckoo’s nest is a brilliant, bittersweet drama that has Danny DeVito, Christopher LloydAnd Child’s play Star, Brad Dourif. The film became the second film ever to win an Oscar in five major categories, earning Nicholson his first Oscar for Best Actor. One flew over the cuckoo’s nest also has some uncredited guest appearances, including Anjelica Huston and Maria Costa who provided the voice of Princess Aurora in Disney’s sleeping Beauty.
One flew over the next cuckoo
Release date November 18, 1975
director Milos Forman
Pour Jack Nicholson, Louise Fletcher, Brad Dourif, Christopher Lloyd, Michael Berryman, Scatman Crothers
Evaluation R
Duration 133
2 “Chinatown” (1974)
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 99%
Jake is a private detective hired by Evelyn Mulwray to investigate her husband’s activities. But while he thinks it’s a common case of infidelity, his investigation takes an unexpected turn when he meets the real Mrs. Mulwray (Faye Dunaway). Jake soon finds himself caught up in a conspiracy and when Mulwray’s father (John Huston) is suspected of the sudden murder of his son-in-law, he uncovers corruption and a dark family secret.
Chinatown is a twisted neo-noir film directed by Robert Towne, who originally developed the screenplay for Nicholson. The two became friends after meeting in an acting class and subsequently worked together The final detail. Although Nicholson was earning good roles at the time, Towne wanted to write a detective story for his friend that would establish him as a leading man, and wrote specifically Chinatown for him.
Chinatown
Release date June 20, 1974
director Roman Polanski
Pour Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway, John Huston, Perry Lopez, John Hillerman, Darrell Zwerling
Evaluation R
Duration 130
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1 “The Shootout” (1996)
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 100%
Image by Jack H. Harris Enterprises
Willett (Warren Oates) is a former bounty hunter who is hired by a woman (Millie Perkins) to accompany them on a long journey to a city miles away. As Willett and his friend (Will HutchinsAs they set off, they notice that they are being followed by a gunfighter who apparently wants them dead.
The shoot is the sequel to Ride the whirlwind and reunited Nicholson with Hellman. Nicholson worked with Hellman on several other films including Back door to hell And Flight to Fury. While the film may leave audiences with more questions than answers, the thrilling adventure and raw performances are enough to make it worth watching.
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Source : collider.com