The Postman Always Rings Twice (1981)

Passion can sweep people toward choices they'd never make with a clear head, and some mistakes can never be undone. Bob Rafelson's 1981 version of "The Postman Always Rings Twice" reunites him with Jack Nicholson, his star from "Five Easy Pieces" and "The King of Marvin Gardens," for a fresh take on James M. Cain's hard-boiled novel of lust and murder. It takes a far grittier and more sexually frank approach than MGM's polished 1946 version with John Garfield and Lana Turner. Set in Depression-era California, it stars Nicholson as Frank Chambers, a drifter who wanders into a roadside diner run by Cora Papadakis (Jessica Lange) and her much older Greek immigrant husband, Nick (John Colicos). The attraction between Frank and Cora is instant and explosive, famously boiling over on the kitchen table, and before long, the lovers are plotting to get rid of Nick. The film is a bit too cool and detached to fully capture the feverish passion that drives people to murder, but it's strangely haunting and disturbing all the same. David Mamet wrote the screenplay, the great Sven Nykvist, Ingmar Bergman's longtime cinematographer, shot it, and Anjelica Huston makes a memorable appearance in a small role.