Jack Nicholson’s Cinematic Taste: Why His Praise of ’21 Grams’ Matters
Jack Nicholson doesn’t need to watch movies – he’s lived them. Having graced the silver screen in countless iconic roles, Nicholson ascended to legendary status long ago. Yet, despite his prolific career, he’s always remained a dedicated cinephile, possessing a remarkably astute eye for quality. His praise, therefore, carries significant weight. A prime example? His unwavering admiration for Benicio del Toro’s performance in Alejandro González Iñárritu’s 2003 thriller, ’21 Grams’.
A Reputation for Intelligence and Discerning Taste
Throughout his career, Nicholson cultivated a reputation as a charismatic and somewhat mischievous figure. However, beneath the playful exterior lay a sharp intellect. Even his frequent collaborator, Stanley Kubrick, recognized Nicholson’s ability to bring an “unactable quality” of intelligence to his roles. This inherent understanding of the craft allowed Nicholson to keenly assess the nuances of performance and storytelling.
Nicholson wasn’t easily impressed. He openly expressed his disinterest in the increasingly prevalent trend of spectacle-driven blockbusters, once lamenting to the Sydney Morning Herald the rise of films filled with “more bombs” and “more explosions.” He prioritized substance over style, and wasn’t willing to compromise his artistic standards.
The Power of Nicholson’s Recommendation
Therefore, when Jack Nicholson champions a film, it’s a signal worth heeding. It’s not a casual endorsement, but a considered judgment from a true master of the art form. This is a far cry from fleeting opinions; Nicholson genuinely thinks about cinema.
’21 Grams’: A Performance That Stood Out
Nicholson first encountered del Toro’s talent while filming ‘The Pledge’ (2001), a gripping thriller where del Toro played Toby Jay Wadenah. Nicholson was so captivated by del Toro’s work that he actively fought to preserve as much of his performance as possible. “I made Sean [Penn, the director] keep so much of Benicio’s scenes in ‘The Pledge,’” Nicholson recalled in an interview with Total Film, “because I was just so crazy about what he was doing. I fought for every frame of it.”
His admiration continued when he learned del Toro was starring in ’21 Grams’. Nicholson declared del Toro’s portrayal of an ex-con grappling with faith and addiction as “the most interesting performance of a religious character that I’ve ever seen.”
A Complex and Critically Acclaimed Film
’21 Grams’, directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu, is a non-linear crime thriller that explores the aftermath of a hit-and-run accident through the interwoven stories of three individuals. The film, starring Sean Penn and Naomi Watts alongside del Toro, delves into themes of grief, addiction, and redemption. It garnered widespread critical acclaim, with Roger Ebert describing the performances as “astonishing.”
Iñárritu’s ’21 Grams’ is part of a larger body of work, forming the middle installment of his “death trilogy,” which began with ‘Amores perros’ (2000) and concluded with ‘Babel’ (2006). While ‘Babel’ ultimately received more widespread recognition, ’21 Grams’ remains a powerful and thought-provoking film, well worth revisiting for del Toro’s exceptional performance and the film’s overall artistic merit.
Jack Nicholson’s endorsement serves as a potent reminder that sometimes, the most valuable recommendations come from those who truly understand the magic of cinema.
