Kevin Pollak recalls Jack Nicholson's on-set pranks, Rob Reiner's advice from 'A Few Good Men'
Washington DC, June 29
More than three decades after A Few Good Men became a courtroom classic, actor Kevin Pollak has recalled memorable behind-the-scenes moments from the 1992 film, including director Rob Reiner's approach to filmmaking and Jack Nicholson's playful attempts to distract Tom Cruise during one of the movie's most iconic scenes, according to People.
Speaking to People at the Los Angeles premiere of 'Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass', the 68-year-old actor reflected on working on the acclaimed courtroom drama, which was later nominated for Best Picture at the 65th Academy Awards.
Pollak said one of the most valuable lessons he learned from director Rob Reiner was to enjoy the filmmaking process, even while working on an intense drama.
"The big thing with Rob was just, if we're not having fun, there's no point in any of this," Pollak said."And he said that while we're doing a very intense courtroom drama, and it was a great lesson and a great way to work," he added, according to People.
In A Few Good Men, Pollak portrayed Lt. Sam Weinberg, one of the military lawyers who worked alongside Tom Cruise's Lt. Daniel Kaffee in defending two Marines accused of killing a fellow serviceman.Although the film dealt with serious subject matter, Pollak said the atmosphere on set was relaxed and filled with humour.
Recalling one of his favourite memories from the production, Pollak shared an incident that took place while the cast was filming exterior scenes in Washington, D.C.
"One of my most enjoyable moments was [when] we shot a couple weeks in Washington D.C. to establish exteriors, and one night we were walking back from somewhere, just the two of us, and someone passed us and said, 'Oh my God, Rob Reiner, how are you? Are you here working?' And he said, 'Yeah.' He said, 'What are you working on?' And he said, 'The Godfather,'" Pollak recalled, according to People.
"And the guy went, 'Oh great.' He kept walking, and I said, 'Why did you say The Godfather?' And he said, 'Well, if I said A Few Good Men, it was a Broadway play, but if you didn't see the Broadway play, you don't know what the hell I'm talking about. So if I say The Godfather, we're done talking, and you and I can keep going with our lives.' I've used it ever since," he added.
Pollak said the anecdote perfectly captured Reiner's quick wit and the easygoing atmosphere on a set that also featured Tom Cruise, Demi Moore and Jack Nicholson.
The actor also recalled Nicholson's playful behaviour during filming, revealing that the Oscar-winning actor enjoyed trying to distract Cruise during emotionally charged courtroom sequences.
"Jack [Nicholson] would absolutely mess with Tom [Cruise] while Tom was coming in for the kill in the courtroom," Pollak revealed, according to People.
According to Pollak, while Cruise was filming the now-iconic courtroom exchange featuring the line, "I want the truth," Nicholson stood just off camera making a series of funny faces in an attempt to break Cruise's concentration.
Cruise, however, remained in character and completed the take before playfully punching Nicholson on the shoulder afterward, a reaction that, Pollak said, "Jack loved," according to People.
— ANI
Reader Comments
This reminds me of how we have our own "method acting" in Indian cinema too! But honestly, the fact that Cruise maintained his composure while Nicholson was pulling faces shows his professionalism. And Pollak's story about Reiner saying "The Godfather" to avoid a long conversation is brilliant—such a clever shortcut. Makes me wish Bollywood stars shared more such anecdotes.
As a huge fan of the film, I've watched that courtroom scene countless times. "You can't handle the truth!" is one of cinema's greatest moments. Knowing that Nicholson was playing pranks makes it even more iconic. But I have to say—while it's fun, it also feels a bit disrespectful to Cruise who was trying to nail a serious performance. Still, the result speaks for itself. Great article!
I grew up watching A Few Good Men, and it's amazing how the behind-the-scenes stories add a whole new layer to the film. Reiner's wit about saying "The Godfather" is too relatable—sometimes you just need a quick exit from a conversation! The chemistry between the cast clearly translated on screen. Kudos to Pollak for sharing these memories after 30+ years.
This is the kind of content I love—Hollywood nostalgia with a human touch. The idea that even legends like Cruise and Nicholson had playful moments on set makes them feel more relatable. Also, Pollak's admiration for Reiner's directing style shows how important a good director is. We need more directors in India who care about the team's morale as much as the final product. 👌
K We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.