Review of The King of Marvin Gardens (1972) by Kevin R — 22 May 2011

Go on in there and shrivel your testicles.

Two brothers that grew up in an unstable household have very different personalities and outlooks on life. One brother grows up to be a con man and is an extreme optimist that is a bit of dreamer. The other brother is an educated pessimist that resides in Philadelphia as a radio personality. When the con man is released on bail and has another get rich quick scheme, he calls his brother to help him cash in. Can the brothers make it this time?

"One time he put one of those toy trains in my hamburger.".

Bob Rafelson, director of Blood and Wine, Black Widow, and The Postman Always Rings Twice, delivers The King of Marvin Gardens. The story was interesting and fairly well told. The settings, in Atlantic City, were unique and reminded me slightly of Boardwalk Empire. The acting is first rate and the cast includes Jack Nicholson, Bruce Dern, Ellen Burstyn, and Julia Anne Robinson.

"I'm out on bail with a concealed weapon that ain't even registered.".

I have been DVR'ing random Jack Nicholson pictures the last couple years and this was a film that grabbed my attention (probably due to the recent Jersey phenomena). While the story for this film is solid, and the conclusion is magnificent, the execution of the foiled deals was mediocre and the character development could surely have been better. Overall, this was an interesting movie that was worth my time but was not as good as I had hoped.

"No one reads anymore.".

Grade: C+.