STORY STUDY - MEDIUM: FILM “Chinatown”

It’s a frustrating feeling knowing that no matter what you do, no matter how much good you try to do, it doesn’t make things better. In fact, it probably made things worse. So is the life of the private detective.

Directed by Roman Polanski, and written by Robert Towne, Chinatown is about a private detective J.J. “Jake” Gittes who has been hired by “Evelyn Mulwray” to find proof if her husband, Hollis, is having an affair. Gittes discovers and brings back photographic proof of him with a younger woman, which makes news in the next day’s papers.

Gittes is confronted and threatened with a lawsuit by the real Evelyn Mulwray. He also learns that Hollis was found dead in a reservoir. He realizes that he was set up. With the help of Evelyn, they discover what is going on, on who would want her husband dead.

Speaking solely on the plot, it’s a very intricate mystery. Each scene and character leads into a future scene (except for Polanski’s cameo appearance where he cuts Gittes’ nose. Seriously, I was waiting for him to come back so he can get punched in the face or something, but he never did.)

On the surface, it’s a murder mystery with the guilty party covering up a conspiracy. However, if you look further into the suspects, you realize it’s comes down to something simpler and, in this film’s case, more disgusting than it really is.

From the poster, to the opening credits, to the imagery, you can feel the film noir sensibilities. The characters, the plot, the cinematography; it’s all reminiscent of its roots and inspirations of past film noir plots.

A lot of the film’s praise stems from the fact that the film’s ending is one of the most depressing sequences of its genre. It is indeed depressing… but Chinatown IS a film noir, which literally translates into “dark film.” Look at past films of this genre; NONE of them ever have the characters feeling happy after the events they went through. They just suck it up, and move on to the next case (if we’re just talking about private detective films.) Even the final, most quoted line, “Forget it, Jake, it’s Chinatown” remind the audience and Gittes himself that no matter what you do, you’re not going to be the positive change the world needs.

Sure, that would cement Chinatown into being one of the most influential films/screenplays of all time, but it doesn’t really break new ground. Maybe it’s the fact that the characters are so genuine, sympathetic, and kind that you were hoping they’d get out of it okay, and when it comes crashing down, you feel the pain they feel.

Influential really is what this film is, as it was one of the required viewings in school. It’s hard to argue that Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay that the film earned. I didn’t really know what to think of it at the time of first viewing since it was one of many films to view during our film noir section of class. However, over time, I saw its appeal. It’s hard to explain why I actually like this film especially given my disdain for innocent characters not getting away. Maybe it’s the fact that everything else is so meticulously shot and acted, and knowing the fact that Towne didn’t write the final sequence makes me feel a little peace on my conscious.

Chinatown is one of the modern classics of the genre that everyone should watch. That’s not just me talking; that’s the community talking. If you’re just into murder mysteries, it’s one of those original films that just required watching (as opposed to a murder mystery adapted from a book).