Chinatown (1974)

Film: Chinatown

Director: Roman Polanski

Country: Poland / USA

Released: March 1974

Runtime: 131 minutes

Genre: Film Noir

Studio: Robert Evans / Paramount

Influenced: Curtis Hanson, Michael Mann, David Fincher, Jane Campion, David Robert Mitchell

Conceived by screenwriter Robert Towne, Chinatown was produced by Robert Evans and inspired by the California Water Wars, a series of disputes over southern California water at the beginning of the 20th century. Robert Towne conducted extensive research on the topic and decided to write a detective story around it, merging historical events with a noir-inspired narrative. Right from the opening credits, Chinatown is clearly a homage to the golden age of film noir. As per a technique director Roman Polanski attributes to Raymond Chandler, all of the events of the film are seen subjectively through the eyes of the main character, Jake Gittes (Jack Nicholson), who appears in every scene.

Chinatown's story is set in 1937 and follows Gittes, a private detective in Los Angeles, who is hired by a woman presenting herself as Evelyn Mulwray to spy on her husband, Hollis Mulwray, who she suspects of infidelity. Gittes takes the job, and after he captures and publishes photos of Hollis with a young woman, the real Evelyn Mulwray (Faye Dunaway) confronts him, revealing that he has been deceived by an impostor. After Hollis Mulwray is found dead, Gittes investigates further, gradually uncovering a vast conspiracy involving water rights, real estate and municipal corruption, all revolving around the construction of a new reservoir. 

"He's honest, as far as it goes. Of course, he has to swim in the same water we all do."

Gittes, trying to gather evidence, has his nose slashed by a thug (Polanski in a cameo role). This marks a shift in the narrative, as Gittes realises that he's tangled in a dangerous web. Evelyn Mulwray turns out to be the daughter of Noah Cross (John Huston), the former business partner of her late husband, and a significant player in the water scandal. Gittes discovers that Cross is attempting to buy up land in the northwest valley, knowing that it will become incredibly valuable when the new reservoir is built. Chinatown is widely celebrated for the quality of its screenplay and the complexity of its plot, revealing information in a way that keeps audiences guessing and re-evaluating their understanding of the narrative. The dialogue is filled with double meanings and is intricately woven.

Other aspects to savour about the film are the performances by Nicholson, Dunaway and Huston and the superb ending. Gittes uncovers the shocking truth that the young woman he initially saw with Hollis Mulwray is not his mistress but his and Evelyn's daughter, born from incestuous abuse by Noah Cross. The story culminates in a tragic confrontation in the Chinatown district, where Evelyn attempts to flee from her father with her daughter but is shot and killed by the police. Noah Cross escapes with the girl, and Gittes is left with the bitter realisation of his inability to change the corrupt system. This tragic and shocking conclusion, where the villain gets away and the hero is left impotent, was a significant departure from the Hollywood norm, emphasising the film's bleak view of the corruptive force of power.

P.S. It's impossible to write about this film without acknowledging the despicable act of its director Roman Polanski (his own horrific experiences with the Holocaust and Charles Manson are no excuse). Claire Dederer in her book, Monsters, discusses this issue in a more nuance and considered way than I could ever achieve. Bottom line is I do believe the art should be dissociated from the artist, and in the case of Chinatown it would be deeply unfair to the actors and scriptwriter Towne to see their achievements overshadowed by the behaviour of the director.