The King of Marvin Gardens 1972

The King of Marvin Gardens

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Movie Info

David Staebler (Jack Nicholson) is a sullen radio personality who reconnects with his scheming brother, Jason (Bruce Dern), in Atlantic City, N.J. A fast-talking con man, Jason is traveling with the beautiful Sally (Ellen Burstyn) and her stepdaughter, Jessica (Julia Anne Robinson), and attempts to rope David into a deal involving a tropical island resort. While David initially humors his ne'er-do-well sibling, Jason isn't happy when his brother tries to rain on his parade.

Rating:

R
Genre:

drama
Original Language:

English
Director:

Bob Rafelson
Producer:

Bob Rafelson
Release Date (Streaming):

May 14, 2014
Runtime:

1h 44m
Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation
Sound Mix:

Mono

Cast & Crew

Jack Nicholson
David Staebler

Bruce Dern
Jason Staebler

Ellen Burstyn
Sally

Julia Anne Robinson
Jessica

Scatman Crothers
Lewis

Charles Lavine
Grandfather

Show all Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews for The King of Marvin Gardens

All Critics (29) | Top Critics (11) | Fresh (20) | Rotten (9)

There hasn't been a more enveloping, more desolating - or for that matter funnier - put down of America in years.

March 18, 2020 | Full Review…

Tom Milne
Sight and Sound
Top Critic
A cult classic about fading dreams that has curiously improved with age.

May 24, 2013 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…

Charlotte O'Sullivan
London Evening Standard
Top Critic
The wintry Atlantic City is brilliantly evoked; the firecracker dialogue is a joy, and the final, chaotic denouement is genuinely unexpected.

May 23, 2013 | Rating: 5/5 | Full Review…

Peter Bradshaw
Guardian
Top Critic
[A] taxingly morose, intermittently interesting reunion between the director and star of the tremendous Five Easy Pieces.

May 23, 2013 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

Daily Telegraph (UK)
Top Critic
Introspective and self-conscious, it's a chill offering that struggles to find its own voice.

May 23, 2013 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

Adam Lee Davies
Little White Lies
Top Critic
Criminally underrated with two great performances from the lead males.

May 20, 2013 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…

Kim Newman
Empire Magazine
Top Critic
The film is well worth seeing, but the real attraction is the stunning depiction of Atlantic City.

May 27, 2013 | Full Review…

Sarah Cronin
Electric Sheep
A flawed masterpiece full of menace, surreal moments and obscure dialogues, with the city photographed in all its desolate, decaying beauty ...

May 27, 2013 | Full Review…

Philip French
Observer (UK)
A haunting, beautifully acted tale of impossible dreams and lost hope.

May 24, 2013 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…

Allan Hunter
Daily Express (UK)
A minor-key marvel.

May 15, 2013 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…

Simon Kinnear
Total Film
The King of Marvin Gardens reminds us of the diversity and dynamism of the New Hollywood movement. And how odd it is that a largely forgotten film should feel so utterly unforgettable.

May 10, 2013 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…

Emma Simmonds
The List
Rafelson relies heavily on overt symbolism and visual metaphor, which provides plenty of food for thought for the literary-minded, but also tends to weigh down the narrative and make it feel more heavy-handed than it should

December 15, 2010 | Rating: 2.5/4 | Full Review…

James Kendrick
Q Network Film Desk

View All Critic Reviews (29)

Audience Reviews for The King of Marvin Gardens

Oct 21, 2011

Ellen Burstyn is crazy (as usual)

Graham J Super Reviewer
Mar 13, 2011

Easily one of the most overlooked movies of the 70s. This has such a brave finale that completely changes the entire plot, character motives and mood of the movie. Bob Rafelson takes a story about two estranged brothers and turns it into something so much more engaging and memorable. Knowing Jack Nicolson, it's almost bizarre not to see him have multiple freak outs in a movie, especially during his 70s era of acting. He plays a really introspective and reserved character that honestly ends up being just as admirable as his more famous ones. Who really does end up completely dominating the movie is a completely unsuspecting Ellen Burstyn. When you think of character development, there is no better example than her in this movie. To see her go from a seemingly jolly and upbeat person into a train wreck of doom is an event you can't miss. This has all the great cinematography and direction that Bob Rafelson had with Five Easy Pieces, but this is a completely different take on America.

Conner R Super Reviewer
Sep 05, 2010

A very deep, intense, dramatic movie with a great story and brilliant actors. I loved this movie, and I highly recommend it.

Aj V Super Reviewer
Nov 22, 2006

The King of Marvin Gardens is a seriously underrated gem from an era where Jack Nicholson was at his peak. Between Bob Fafelson's direction and the entire cast's performances (especially Ellen Burstyn in an increasingly batshit crazy turn as a fading glamour queen) its almost impossible to see why this movie never really got its due. Admittedly there are stretches where The King of Marvin Gardens feels like a fever dream or reading a novel with some of the more important pages torn out but its so worth the ride. Especially for the opening and closing scenes.

Michael G Super Reviewer