Chinatown (1974)
IMDB Rating: 8.3/10
Storyline:
JJ ‘Jake’ Gittes is a private detective who seems to specialize in
matrimonial cases. He is hired by Evelyn Mulwray when she suspects her
husband Hollis, builder of the city’s water supply system, of having an
affair. Gittes does what he does best and photographs him with a young
girl but in the ensuing scandal, it seems he was hired by an
impersonator and not the real Mrs. Mulwray. When Mr. Mulwray is found
dead, Jake is plunged into a complex web of deceit involving murder,
incest and municipal corruption all related to the city’s water supply.
User Review:From
the first 10 minutes of the first time I saw this movie in the theatre,
I’ve truly loved it, more any other movie I’ve ever seen. Why? Well,
that easy, it’s just so… PERFECT!
Obviously there are many
other great movies, and many other movies I personally also love, but
Chinatown has a real spell over me. Other fans have commented here on
the story and the spellbinding way that the forlorn and utterly
mysterious story unfolds. I certainly agree.
Chinatown’s
cinematography and editing? Yes, I agree again! IMO, it’s breathtaking,
with pacing so tight that I sit straight up thru the whole movie and my
nerves become completely raw every time I watch, listen and FEEL it
again.
I don’t think anybody has commented yet on the great
choice of the many supporting actors. Each one so well cast and very
believable in their roles! You’ve got the entire cast credits list
(thank you IMDb) so I won’t list them here but there are so many
memorable performances here! It would be unfair to highlight one, two or
three! Good cops, bad cops, ugly rich, up-and-coming, downtrodden poor,
the very honest and very crooked with all shades in between! Each and
every role a character study in and of itself and together they make a
living “time capsule” of the forties that we can revisit for generations
to come.
And then there’s that sound track which hooked me on
great trumpet players and the Est Coast Jazz sound of the era. I just
love that music and way it interweaves with the ongoing theme – it’s
perfectly united with the faithful and compelling use of the film-noir
style.
I saw this movie first in Chicago and heck, back then I
knew nothing about LA, though I’ve since moved to and lived in the area
for years. Once relocated, I quickly discovered the historically
interesting side to the story and then appreciated the movie from yet
another compelling angle. No question, the plot is fundamentally sound
with many totally unexpected and yet quite plausible turns. But I later
understood that it’s within the realm of believability from factual
standpoint, as well as intellectually/emotionally.
Geez, I’ll
never forget that first confrontational scene at the Albacore Club! The
study in absolute raw and evil power as masterly portrayed by John
Huston. In the very same scene Jack Nicholson skillfully paints the
subtleties of his cautious, cynical, small-time hustler character. The
air crackles! I must have played this scene in my mind a thousand times.
When I visited Catalina Island for the first time in about 1985, not
knowing its significance to the movie, I walked by the Albacore Club
(The Tuna Club in real life) and froze transfixed. I recognized it
instantly of course, and I must have stood there gawking for 20 minutes
not saying a word. I could literally HEAR the Chinatown theme – the
memories were that clear and fresh!
In closing, I guess then what
does it about Chinatown for me (why I feel so strongly that it is the
very best movie of all) is that every facet of the movie construction,
from the opening scene to the ending credits, somehow fits together in a
homogeneous, complete and absolutely flawless way.
I find it
fascinating to analyze the characters and their makeup. To imagine the
reasons they did what they did. But there is NOTHING I would change.
Nothing.
