: Many reviewers found it jarring that the same team behind the "New Hollywood" masterpiece Five Easy Pieces produced such a "ridiculous" and "dreadful" comedy.
: It is frequently ranked among the worst films in Nicholson's filmography by outlets such as IMDb and The Times . Man Trouble (1992)
: While some fans appreciated the "laid-back vibe" and the chemistry between Barkin and Nicholson, others felt the lead actors were "upstaged by horny dogs". : Many reviewers found it jarring that the
(1992) is a screwball crime comedy directed by Bob Rafelson , starring Jack Nicholson and Ellen Barkin . Written by Carole Eastman—who previously collaborated with the duo on the classic Five Easy Pieces —the film follows the unlikely romance between a refined concert singer and a down-on-his-luck guard dog agency owner. Plot and Production (1992) is a screwball crime comedy directed by
The story centers on (Barkin), a singer who, feeling threatened by a serial killer and her sister's ex-husband, hires Eugene Earl Axline (Nicholson) to provide security. Axline is a small-time con artist posing as a professional dog trainer. The film's script had a long development history, taking Eastman nearly twenty years to realize after her work on The Fortune . Critical Reception
Upon its release, the film was largely panned by critics and is often cited as a low point in the careers of its high-profile creators:
For more detailed retrospectives, you can explore the Britannica profile on Rafelson or check out the American Humane Society's production review for its use of animals. Man Trouble | film by Rafelson [1992] - Britannica