JACK NICHOLSON PEAKS WITH SUSAN STRASBERG IN 'PSYCH-OUT'

Jack Nicholson and Susan Strasberg in PSYCH-OUT Year: 1968 Rating: ***1/2

In 1968, Susan Strasberg, a passive deaf girl hiding out in San Fransisco, happens upon members of a hopeful rock band consisting of a completely miscast Jack Nicholson and Adam Roarke, looking more like blue collar roughnecks than guitar-slinging hippies, and Max Julien, far more aligned with the drugged-out, passive aesthetic...

Other young future-classic actors include Bruce Dern as Strasberg's troubled brother, the movie's McGuffin that little sister's seeking, fitfully named The Seeker, and Dean Stockwell as a "wise" hippie, reminding Jack, who wants his group to make it big, how shallow money and success are...

Narc Garry Marshall and Adam Roarke in PSYCH-OUT

While the songs by the fictional band Mumblin' Jim are pretty awful, filler tunes by The Grass Roots and Strawberry Alarm Clock are nice, fitting the colorful explosion of San Fransisco during its literally acid-packed peak... 

But the genuine appeal is the direction by Richard Rush, who also directed Nicholson in biker flicks, moving the action nicely, especially the "peak" as Strassberg takes bad STP and (in her mind) is stalked by flames... 

Jack Nicholson and Susan Strasberg in PSYCH-OUT

So while very dated clothing, bad wigs and annoying idealism, there's a pretty good story here, led by Strasberg from start to finish while Jack... 

With the arched eyebrows while almost reaching the cocky charisma from EASY RIDER... only as a somewhat unlikable womanizer... is but paint on the paint-splattered canvas.  

    Susan Strasberg in PSYCH-OUT

    Susan Strasberg in PSYCH-OUT and Henry Jaglom

    Susan Strasberg in PSYCH-OUT with Jack Nicholson

    Susan Strasberg in PSYCH-OUT with Jack Nicholson

    Susan Strasberg in PSYCH-OUT

Adam Roarke and Max Julien in PSYCH-OUT

Garry Marshall as a cop in PSYCH-OUT

Max Julien in PSYCH-OUT with Jack Nicholson

Jack Nicholson in PSYCH-OUT with Adam Roarke

    Susan Strasberg in PSYCH-OUT

Jack Nicholson in PSYCH-OUT with Adam Roarke and Max Julien

Acid overdosed Henry Jaglom in PSYCH-OUT

    Susan Strasberg in PSYCH-OUT

    Susan Strasberg in PSYCH-OUT with Jack Nicholson

Junkyard bully Gary Kent in PSYCH-OUT

Junkyard bully Gary Kent in PSYCH-OUT

Kirk Scott and Jack Nicholson in PSYCH-OUT

Bruce Dern in PSYCH-OUT

Jack Nicholson in PSYCH-OUT

Bruce Dern in PSYCH-OUT

Gary Kent in PSYCH-OUT

    Susan Strasberg in PSYCH-OUT

    Susan Strasberg in PSYCH-OUT with Dean Stockwell

    Susan Strasberg in PSYCH-OUT with Jack Nicholson

    Susan Strasberg in PSYCH-OUT with Jack Nicholson

    Susan Strasberg in PSYCH-OUT

    Susan Strasberg in PSYCH-OUT

    Susan Strasberg in PSYCH-OUT with Jack Nicholson

    Susan Strasberg in PSYCH-OUT with Jack Nicholson

Linda Gaye Scott in PSYCH-OUT

Unnamed Beauty in PSYCH-OUT

Jack Nicholson and Susan Strasberg in PSYCH-OUT