10 Greatest Jack Nicholson Performances Of All Time

Beating One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest to the title of having Jack Nicholson's greatest on-screen performance of all time is the 1970 drama Five Easy Pieces. Nicholson stars as Bobby Dupea, an oil rig worker who once was part of a privileged family and had a budding career as a pianist. After learning that his estranged father is dying, he returns home to see him in his final moments.

From the famous diner scene ("I want you to put it between your knees") to Bobby's final confession to his ailing father, Nicholson gives one of cinema's greatest ever acting performances.

Nicholson portrays Bobby as a man at a loss with his life. He doesn't know what he wants to be, nor does he know where he wants to end up. He spends his nights in a series of motels and realises, more than once, that his life lacks direction and he has no purpose.

Bobby is an unforgettable character, representing those who feel at odds with their lives and perfectly capturing the idea of alienation and disillusion with every frame Nicholson gets to play him - whether he's being cruel, thoughtful, honest or brash.

People remember him for A Few Good Men, for Batman and The Shining, and whilst these are some of his best roles, Five Easy Pieces is the best of the best.