Jack Nicholson said he felt deeply embarrassed by his early film performances, remarking that he would have “shrivelled up and died” had many people seen them. The article presents this self-criticism as part of the actor’s development, arguing that reviewing his mistakes helped him improve and eventually become one of Hollywood’s most respected performers.

Nicholson was referring to low-budget films made early in his career, including Cry Baby Killer, Too Soon to Love and Back Door to Hell, rather than a 1997 release. He said the films gave him a chance to learn acting away from widespread public attention, although revisiting them later, including at a Telluride retrospective, was uncomfortable for him.