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Chinatown 1974 |
Review by Jonathan Cornwell |
Directed by Roman Polanski
R, 131 min. (violence, language, sexual situations, brief nudity) |
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Starring: Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway, John Huston, John Hillerman, Burt Young
Producer: Robert Evans
Screenplay: Robert Towne, Roman Polanski
Cinematography: John A. Alonzo
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Released: 6.20.74 |
Rating:
 (out of ) |
Director Roman Polanski's Chinatown, which was nominated for 11 Academy Awards and has what is considered to be one
of the best screenplays ever written, is another classic entry into the film noir genre. Jack Nicholson's performance is the
film's strength - and at times holds it together - but impressive performances by Faye Dunaway and John Huston (who won
an Oscar) also contribute to its success. This is a different type of film noir - it's a little more relaxed, yet somewhat more
disturbing in its content. It doesn't have a happy ending - in fact, it's downright depressing, but Polanski decided it was
better to end the film this way.
Nicholson plays J.J. Gittes, a private investigator during 1930s Los Angeles, who becomes entailed in a murder mystery of corruption
at the highest levels. He gets involved in the case when a woman, who claims to be the wife of a city water owner (Mulwray),
comes to him asking for him to investigate Mulwray's possible extra-marital affair. When Mulwray turns up dead, the real
Mrs. Evelyn Mulwray (Faye Dunaway) shows up. The story then becomes a murder mystery combined with a water shortage
conspiracy - Gittes is determined to uncover the plot after he is injured by someone's thugs. A relationship ensues between
Gittes and Evelyn, one which leads to Evelyn's father, Noah Cross (John Huston). Cross is a wealthy landowner who also hires
Gittes to find his other daughter, which later leads to a shocking discovery. Gittes' perseverance in the face of untouchable
corruption, and his attitude towards those opposing him, makes the film memorable.
This is one the performances that cemented Jack Nicholson's place among the elite actors of his generation - he has a sense
of cool about him, with an underlying toughness and agressiveness ready to bubble to the surface at any time. He's a plain-spoken
man, tired of lies and double-speak. His determination is overshadowed only by his intense desire to prove that his profession
is one of honor (this is obvious in a scene in a barber's shop). Faye Dunaway is also impressive - she plays a conflicted woman
with a dark secret, yet has obvious vulnerabilities when confronted with men. Her father, John Huston, gives a chilling portrayal
a rich man who doesn't know how much money is enough (as evidenced with a scene discussing money with Gittes).
Although the film has a few lighter moments, it is invariably dark, depressing, and at times, overbearing. The writing, editing,
acting, and directing is almost flawless, yet the conclusion is not a satifsying one - however, it does stay in step with the rest of the film. You almost feel helpless against the corruption,
which is exactly what Gittes mutters in the final moments of the film. But, as one of Gittes' partners chimes in, "It's Chinatown."
© 2001 Jonathan Cornwell
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 | Masterpiece - Film perfection |
 | Excellent - A Must See |
| Good - Highly Recommended |
| Fair - Worth seeing |
| Average - Viewable, but not recommended |
| Below average - View at own risk |
| Poor - Avoid at all costs |
| Very poor - An embarassment to the film industry |
| Zero | Awful - One of the worst films ever made |
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