On general release

Bob Rafelson / USA / 1972 / 103 min

Reuniting director Bob Rafelson with Jack Nicholson after their success with Five Easy Pieces, The King of Marvin Gardens follows two brothers, the conman Jason (Bruce Dern) and the introvert late night radio host David (Nicholson) as they attempt to pull off a property scam in Atlantic City. Soon they run into some problems and Jason’s latest get rich quick scheme proves to be much more trouble than either of them realise.

Also starring Julia Anne Robinson and Ellen Burstyn, Rafelson’s film concentrates less on the con that the brothers are attempting and more on their relationship and differences. While the film is about how to make money from other people and the nature of the production is obvious from its name, (taken from the American Monopoly board) it doesn’t get lost in the details of the scam. Peppered with slightly odd scenes, such as the pretend Miss America pageant and a moment where the brothers audition potential auctioneers, it’s the brother’s conflict, revealing not only their differences but their similarities, that makes this movie stand out. While it’s often overlooked, The King of Marvin Gardens showcases both Nicholson and Dern at their strongest and most powerful in a captivating yet slightly unsatisfying film.

Showing as part of the Glasgow Film Festival 2013

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