Review of The King of Marvin Gardens (1972) by Stuart K — 24 Apr 2012

After Five Easy Pieces (1970) was a big sleeper hit, Columbia Pictures told Bob Rafelson he could direct anything he wanted, and he went with another low-budget drama, even darker than Five Easy Pieces showing a lost world before it's transformation years later.

Rafelson reunited with his star from Five Easy Pieces, and got in a few other names as well, all of whom turn in powerful performances. David Staebler (Jack Nicholson) is a disgruntled, depressive late-night-radio talk show host, who lives with his embitted Grandfather (Charles Lavine).

David gets a call from his estranged, con-man brother Jason (Bruce Dern), who wants David to come down to Atlantic City, New Jersey, to take part in a real-estate scam he's got going on. David reluctantly comes down, and meets Jason's partner Sally (Ellen Burstyn), and her step-daughter Jessica (Julia Anne Robinson).

David has absolutely no faith in what Jason is up to, but Jason scorns David for being so depressive and fed up with life. However, when Atlantic City gangster Lewis (Scatman Crothers) becomes aware of Jason's wheeling dealing, David is drawn in, even though he doesn't want to.

It's another dark look at the disillusionment of Nixon's America, set in a ruined Atlantic City. Shot during the winter of 1971-72, this is a power drama where everyone plays well off one another, and Rafelson showed maturity as a director.

Even though the brass at Columbia Pictures and film critics hated it at the time, it found an audience, but it's forgotten now. Pity really.