Monday, March 6, 2023

Chinatown (1974)

It is 1937 and Jake Gittes (Jack Nicholson) is a private investigator in Los Angeles.  After wrapping up another case about an unfaithful spouse, he is hired by Mrs. Mulwray to expose her husband's infidelity.  Hollis Mulwray is the director of the water department.  Initially, Jake's investigation finds that Mulwray spends his nights on the beach near a drainpipe.  However, he does finally locate the other woman and gets some pictures.  The following day, Evelyn Mulwray (Faye Dunaway) files a lawsuit against Jake; she is not the Mrs. Mulwray who hired him!  Jake has been setup and Mulwray was targeted for some reason.  Jake wants to know why.

What starts as an investigation about infidelity soon evolves into one about the water supply of Los Angeles, corruption, murder, and a hidden scandal in a powerful family.  Noah Cross (John Huston) is the former partner of Hollis Mulwray and the father of Evelyn Mulwray.  He is rich and powerful.  Evelyn says he is dangerous and Jake should steer clear of him.  Jake finds himself under threat of death at every turn.  Clearly, he is poking his nose in unhealthy places.

The setting is terrific, immersing the viewer in 1930s Southern California.  The acting is top notch.  Jake is a talented investigator but has a habit of jumping to conclusions, some of which cost him.  He is often reckless.  In fact, Evelyn points out that he can't last long with assaults he suffered in the last 24 hours.  One annoying thing was the constant reference to Chinatown.  Chinatown figures prominently in Jake's past but the precise details are never offered.  Then, the last few minutes of the film take place in Chinatown.  So?

"Forget it, Jake.  It's Chinatown."

What is that supposed to mean?

The film is very dark, painting a bleak picture of Los Angeles and the prospects of many of the characters.  Nonetheless, it is a good film and recommended.

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