The King of Marvin Gardens
Jack Nicholson's most unsung performance.
A Philadelphia radio personality, David (Jack Nicholson) has a tendency to mix fact and fiction in his talks, such as in a story about his "dead" grandfather (Charles LaVine). When his older brother, Jason (Bruce Dern), is jailed on a robbery charge, David is summoned to Atlantic City. But when he's sent to see Jason's mobster boss, Lewis (Scatman Crothers), for help, David is totally ignored. Upon his release from jail, Jason introduces David to his companions, the aging Sally (Ellen Burstyn) and her stepdaughter, Jessica (Julia Anne Robinson). While Jason talks of building a gambling casino on Waikiki Beach, David is sure that it's just another of his fantastic schemes, but stays on to see what happens anyway. As the four have fun, as well as fight, together, David has a few run-ins with Lewis and his men. When Jason grows attached to Jessica, Sally becomes distraught and hysterical. And believing she is about to be left behind, she shoots Jason, leaving David to take his brother's body home as he returns to his former life.
