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“Chinatown” (1974)  —  movie review
Today’s review is for the neo-noir mystery “Chinatown” (1974), directed by Roman Polanski and starring Jack Nicholson as J.J. “Jake” Gittes — a private investigator whose charm masks a growing vulnerability;  Faye Dunaway as Evelyn Mulwray — a woman of elegance and tragic secrets;  and John Huston as Noah Cross — a patriarch whose corruption and menace embody the film’s moral decay.  Supporting roles include Perry Lopez as Lt. Escobar, Burt Young as Curly, and Diane Ladd as Ida Sessions.  With cinematography by John A. Alonzo and music by Jerry Goldsmith, this film is often cited as one of the greatest American movies ever made.
Background:  This film was recommended to me by several friends as a GREAT film in the “noir” genre and influential in their appreciation of “cinema”.  “Noir” means:  dark, cynical, and otherwise depressing.  (LoL)  NOT at all my kind of movie!!  But I committed to watching it anyway…  I am a bit concerned my review may be tinted by the fact I have never been a “fan” of Nicholson.  I have liked him in specific films (“A Few Good Men” and “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest“), but I am generally unimpressed by his acting.  Released in June 1974, “Chinatown” was a critical and commercial success, earning eleven(11) Academy Award nominations and winning the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay (Robert Towne).  It was also nominated for Best Picture, Best Director (Polanski), Best Actor (Nicholson), and Best Actress (Dunaway).  The film grossed over $29 million against a $6 million budget.  Historically, it is considered a defining work of the “New Hollywood” era, revitalizing the noir genre with a modern, morally ambiguous edge.
Plot:  Jake Gittes, a Los Angeles private eye specializing in marital cases, is hired to investigate an apparent affair involving water commissioner Hollis Mulwray.  What begins as routine surveillance spirals into a labyrinth of deceit tied to water rights, political corruption, and family secrets.  As Jake uncovers layers of conspiracy, he becomes entangled with Evelyn Mulwray, whose guarded past conceals devastating truths.  The climax — set in Chinatown — delivers one of cinema’s most haunting endings, where justice collapses under the weight of power and corruption.
So, is this movie any good?  How’s the acting?  The filming / FX?  Any problems?  And, did I enjoy the film?  Short answers:  Yes (in context);  brilliant;  atmospheric and meticulous;  few;  not really.
Any Good?  Yes.  “Chinatown” is a masterclass in noir film-making.  Its blend of noir mystery, political critique, and personal tragedy makes it both timeless and devastating (well, emotionally tiring, anyway).
Acting:  Jack Nicholson delivers one of his finest performances, balancing bravado with vulnerability as Jake.  Faye Dunaway’s Evelyn is enigmatic, tragic, and unforgettable — her performance anchors the film’s emotional core.  John Huston’s Noah Cross is chilling, embodying corruption with unsettling calm.  The ensemble cast adds texture, but the triad of Nicholson, Dunaway, and Huston defines the film’s power.
Filming / FX:  John A. Alonzo’s cinematography captures 1930s Los Angeles in sunlit hues that mask moral darkness.  Roman Polanski’s direction is taut, emphasizing atmosphere and tension.  Jerry Goldsmith’s score, composed in just ten days, is haunting and elevates the film’s mood.  The production design evokes period authenticity, while the visual style redefines noir by contrasting brightness with corruption.
Problems:  A few – minor and major.  Some viewers (me for example) may find the pacing slow, and the bleak ending emotionally unsatisfying.  Yet these elements are considered integral to the film’s impact (societal corruption and the wealthy avoiding justice).  The narrative’s complexity demands attention, and (/ but) its rewards are (supposedly) enduring.  My biggest “problem” was Dunaway’s character is shot from behind almost a block away and the exit wound is her (shown) eye socket.  While I don’t doubt the wound “would” have been fatal, I doubt any police officer would be shooting (multiple times) at someone over 20 yards away in a crowded city at a moving target – and then be “lucky” enough to achieve a fatal head-shot.  (The implausibility was compounded by an unsatisfying ending with no justice.)
Did I Enjoy the Film?  No, not really.  I guess, like any classic book which you can read and recognize as a classic, but still not “like” it, the same is true for films.  …And this is true – for me – for this film.  “Chinatown” is not just a simple mystery;  it is a meditation on power, corruption, and human frailty – which lacks a resolving justice.  Its unsatisfying conclusion lingers long after viewing, making it one of the most unforgettable (and least palatable) cinematic experiences I’ve had after watching an otherwise brilliant movie.
Final Recommendation:  Highly Recommended (even though I personally don’t like the film).  “Chinatown” is essential viewing — a landmark of American cinema, a defining work of the New Hollywood era, and widely considered one of the greatest films ever made – particularly in its genre.  With its Oscar-winning screenplay, iconic performances, and historic significance, it is (remains) a cultural touchstone.  Watch it for Nicholson’s Jake, Dunaway’s Evelyn, Huston’s chilling Noah Cross.  You, too, may find it “great cinematic art“.  That seems to be the “professional” reviewer’s consensus, anyway – just not mine.
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Click here (2 January) to see the posts of prior years.  I started this blog in late 2009.  Daily posting began in late January 2011.  Not all of the days in the early years (2009-2010) will have posts.

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Frequently All Too Difficult

Simplicity is the most difficult of all concepts.
—    Brian Herbert
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Click here (2 January) to see the posts of prior years.  I started this blog in late 2009.  Daily posting began in late January 2011.  Not all of the days in the early years (2009-2010) will have posts.

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