Sony Pictures Releasing
At the age of 87, Jack Nicholson hasn’t officially hung up his acting boots, but he’s definitely not as active as he used to be. In a 2013 interview with Vanity Fair, Nicholson dismissed retirement rumors, stating he had only retired from incessant flirting, not acting. He confessed that he no longer felt the burning desire to step out and present himself to the world. According to his good friend and renowned record producer, Lou Adler, in a 2023 conversation with Marc Maron (via The Wrap), Nicholson declined numerous film project offers since 2010. The Oscar-winning actor, with a remarkable record of 80 film credits, appears to have shifted his interest towards quieter pastimes like reading under a tree. Despite never formally announcing his retirement, it’s fair to say that Nicholson is, for all intents and purposes, retired.
If Nicholson indeed decides to quit acting for good, “How Do You Know,” a 2010 dramedy directed by James L. Brooks, would be his final acting credit. The film, which marked the end of his illustrious career, unfortunately, failed to impress both critics and audiences. Despite a budget of $120 million, largely due to its star-studded cast, the film had a disappointing opening weekend, earning just $7.5 million. It closed with a total collection of a mere $49.6 million, making it one of the most significant box office disasters in history. Adjusted for inflation, the film’s losses surpassed those of “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” and “Moonfall.”
Furthermore, “How Do You Know” received a lowly 31% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics such as Anthony Lane of the New Yorker criticized the film’s lack of amusement, while Manohla Dargis described it as “mirthless.” Famed film critic Roger Ebert also gave the film a meager two-star rating, comparing it to a low-grade sitcom rather than a James L. Brooks film.
The Audience Response to Jack Nicholson’s Performance in How Do You Know
David James/Sony Pictures Releasing
“How Do You Know” revolves around a classic love triangle. Reese Witherspoon plays Lisa, a star softball player nearing retirement age. As she grapples with the potential decline in her career, she starts dating Matty (Owen Wilson), a millionaire baseball player with a strong libido, but finds a deeper, more romantic connection with George (Paul Rudd), a mild-mannered businessman. George’s father, Charles (Nicholson), who hasn’t been running his company honestly, is being investigated for fraud. As George works for the company, he could potentially face punishment by association. Thus, Lisa is torn between her rowdy, wealthy colleague and a romantic, potential felon. The film concludes with Lisa realizing her true feelings, but we won’t spoil the ending here.
The film also includes minor roles played by well-known actors like Tony Shalhoub, Teyonah Parris, Dean Norris, and Kathryn Hahn. Despite its star-studded cast and renowned writer/director, the film failed to draw audiences.
So why did “How Do You Know” fail so miserably? The simple answer might be that the film just wasn’t good. The film’s marketing strategy was also flawed, with a vague title and posters that only showcased the actors without hinting at the plot or any significant events. Another possible reason for the film’s failure could be the audience’s growing fatigue with Brooks’ feature films. Despite Brooks’ 1997 film “As Good as It Gets” being a major Oscar contender (it won Nicholson an Oscar and was nominated for Best Picture), he seemed to lose his momentum quickly. His 2004 film “Spanglish,” featuring Adam Sandler, received mixed reviews and it took him six more years to make “How Do You Know”. By this time, Brooks’ signature sentimental style had fallen out of favor.
A Look at Jack Nicholson’s Later Career Dominated by Comedies
Warner Bros.
Before “How Do You Know,” Nicholson had starred in Rob Reiner’s 2007 sentimental drama “The Bucket List” alongside Morgan Freeman. The film, about two men with terminal lung cancer fulfilling their bucket list, was a surprising hit, grossing over $174 million against a $45 million budget. This was an unexpected direction for Nicholson, who was better known for his darker, edgier roles. Even his earlier appearances in Hollywood tear-jerkers like “Terms of Endearment” carried more dramatic weight. “The Bucket List,” on the other hand, was devoid of any edge.
“The Bucket List” followed the success of Nancy Meyer’s 2003 romantic comedy “Something’s Gotta Give,” in which Nicholson falls for Diane Keaton. The film, though lacking edge, was a huge hit, raking in over $266 million. That same year, Nicholson appeared in Peter Segal’s rage comedy “Anger Management” alongside Adam Sandler. Despite being a poorly received film, it was surprisingly popular, grossing over $195 million. It seemed that Nicholson’s late-career success came from his involvement in less threatening Hollywood projects; he hadn’t delivered a characteristically dark performance since Sean Penn’s “The Pledge” in 2001.
The most defining performance of Nicholson’s post-2000 career was undoubtedly his role in Alexander Payne’s “About Schmidt.” His character was unexcitingly normal, allowing Nicholson to play against his usual type. The film was sentimental but in an honest way, capturing the main character’s emotional turmoil following the unexpected death of his somewhat disliked wife. This performance is considered one of his best.
In contrast, “How Do You Know” came across as a favor done for James L. Brooks.
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