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Roman Polanski's "Chinatown" tells the
tale of a 1930's private eye, Jake Gittes (Nicholson) hired on
a case by a sexy lady, Evalyn Cross Mulwray (Faye Dunaway), to
catch her husband, Hollis Mulwray (Darrell Zwerling) in an adulterous
relationship. Before long he's in well over his head, with danger
at every corner, after Hollis is murdered, and he gets involved
in investigating the reasons why Hollis' was killed. Things get
complicated and dangerous, as he discovers truths about land and
water deals, lost children, and an assortment of other dangerous
realities, that were hidden for a reason.
Towne's screenplay was awarded the Oscar for Best
Original Screenplay. While some think the pacing is a little slow,
the story is carefully built and developed, containing clues along
the way. The twists and turns of his tense, suspenseful and entertaining,
classic screenplay makes the audience pay close attention, at
the edge of their seats, trying to figure out this disturbing
mystery noire film, that is held up as an inspiration for the
genre.
"Chinatown" is one of the few films
of the modern era to hold to its own worth, or to exceed the classic
private eye films of the past like, "The Maltese Falcon"
and "The Big Sleep." It's chief benefits are an excellent
screenplay, (by Robert Towne), superior, vivid disciplined direction
by Roman Polanski, and top flight acting by Jack Nicholson, Faye
Dunaway and John Huston.
Jack Nicholson is superb as a 1930's private eye.
Nicholson plays a small time P.I., who gets in over his head in
an investigation that ultimately involves politics, strange relationships,
land, and Los Angeles' precious water supply. His investigation
gets more complicated and dangerous as he goes along. At the bottom
of his investigation, he finds old-fashioned human evil, greed,
and power to be the motive and cause behind the crimes committed.
It's interesting to see Nicholson, this early in his career, delivering
a top notch, memorable performance.
John Huston shines forth in his portrayal of the shady, villainous
millionaire Noah Cross, who was the former partner of Hollis,
as well as the father of Evelyn. "Course I'm respectable.
I'm old. Politicians, ugly buildings, and whores all get respectable
if they last long enough."
Faye Dunaway gives us one of her best performances
as the "multi-faced" flawed Evelyn, who drifts between
being ice cold to being sensuous. Evelyn is rather an unpredictable
woman, with a lot of personal issues, who can't always be counted
on.
My favorite scene takes place when Nicholson finally figures out
what the big mystery is all about. Without giving anything away,
it makes for quite a shocker, and well worth waiting for.
Polanski, also gives us a glimpse of his acting
ability as well. He has a brief role as a nasty hood, that cuts
Jack's nose. Polanski, who began his film career as an actor,
is quite convincing in his role.
The film was followed years later by a sequel, "The Two Jakes".
Directed by star Nicholson. While it has its moments, the film
is a poor follow up to the original.
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