Review of Chinatown (1974) by Gavin M — 01 Jul 2011

This is a brillant film, definently one of the best movies I have seen. The plot, characters, direction, acting (especially Nicholson and Dunaway), are all great. The film is very powerful and intense and you really get such a strong sense of atmosphere from watching it. I am glad I did not know the storyline well as I think you get really involved in the suspense as the plot eventually unfolds. In terms of themes, I would say the main ones are corruption, (both personal, social and political) and greed.

Also, I saw it as a story about good v evil, although it was not presented in a straight forward way. Nicholson's character is basically good (although flawed and not in a Atticus Finch way) while evil is represented by Huston's character (although in a refined, sordid and hidden way).

The story is built up really well, the references to Chinatown give an enigmatic, ominous, forboding edge to the finale, as not much is given away about what happened to Gittes there or the wider meaning involved. The ending is horrific in human terms, you have to come to terms with the fact that evil can win in some cases. It really is horrendous to see Dunaway's character getting shot dead as she tries to escape with her daughter/sister and Noah Cross taking away his illegitimate daughter/grand-daughter? while Gittes (Nicholson), despite all his efforts, looks on helplessly as the police fail to intervene. The ending is haunting and chilling and will stay in my mind for a long time. While it would have been good to have had a happy ending, I think on balance it was in keeping with the movie's atmosphere and general mood, no matter how distressing and shocking it undoubtely is. In conclusion, this film deserves its status and more, it really is a classic, a superb movie, and I think it will easily stand the test of time.

Lastly, I read a critics' review of the film after watching it where they said Gittes (Nicholson) got everything wrong, was bubbling etc,(or words to that affect). I don't agree with that at all. He took on the case, uncovered the corruption, and then found out all the abuse that Cross had carried out. Gittes mis-interpreted things but I thought the film was generally sympathetic to his efforts and character.