: Many reviewers found it jarring that the same team behind the "New Hollywood" masterpiece Five Easy Pieces produced such a "ridiculous" and "dreadful" comedy.
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 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
: It is frequently ranked among the worst films in Nicholson's filmography by outlets such as IMDb and The Times . The film's script had a long development history,
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
(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
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: