It's a symbolic drama set around 1970 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. It follows two estranged brothers over several weeks as they follow an unrealistic dream until tragedy happens.
David Staebler (Jack Nicholson) works the overnight shift at a small radio station in Philadelphia. Part of his schtick is personal monologues about life, sometimes including his family. He lives with his grandfather (Carles LaVine). His older brother, Jason (Bruce Dern), is a fast-talking con man who sometimes works for Lewis (Scatman Crothers), a gangster. Jason lives with an erratic former beauty queen, Sally (Ellen Burstyn), and Sally's attractive stepdaughter, Jessica (Julia Anne Robinson). Jason wants David to join in a resort project based on a small island in Hawaii. He believes David's way with words can help seal a deal with potential Japanese investors.
"The King of Marvin Gardens" (the movie's title comes from the Monopoly game being based on sites in Atlantic City) follows the interactions of the four main characters as their dreams slowly fade, and the unreality of Jason's vision leads to a final tragic ending.
The film contains some outstanding scenes, including Jack Nicholson's opening and closing monologues. His performance and Laszlo Kovacs' cinematography are superior in those scenes. Other times, the script seems pretentious with overcooked symbolism. Nicholson, Dern, and Burstyn are especially strong in an uneven story.
David Staebler (Jack Nicholson) works the overnight shift at a small radio station in Philadelphia. Part of his schtick is personal monologues about life, sometimes including his family. He lives with his grandfather (Carles LaVine). His older brother, Jason (Bruce Dern), is a fast-talking con man who sometimes works for Lewis (Scatman Crothers), a gangster. Jason lives with an erratic former beauty queen, Sally (Ellen Burstyn), and Sally's attractive stepdaughter, Jessica (Julia Anne Robinson). Jason wants David to join in a resort project based on a small island in Hawaii. He believes David's way with words can help seal a deal with potential Japanese investors.
"The King of Marvin Gardens" (the movie's title comes from the Monopoly game being based on sites in Atlantic City) follows the interactions of the four main characters as their dreams slowly fade, and the unreality of Jason's vision leads to a final tragic ending.
The film contains some outstanding scenes, including Jack Nicholson's opening and closing monologues. His performance and Laszlo Kovacs' cinematography are superior in those scenes. Other times, the script seems pretentious with overcooked symbolism. Nicholson, Dern, and Burstyn are especially strong in an uneven story.