Introduction
Chinatown is a 1974 neo-noir movie directed by Roman Polansky, based on a screenplay written by Robert Towne. The film is a detective masterpiece that got Oscar for best original screenplay, which is interesting to read and re-read, studying how the story is masterfully built. Shot in Los Angeles, the movie uses all the means of expression offered by the city to enchant and captivate the viewer. The acting is another excellent part of this film and was often noted by critics as outstanding. All these things come together to create an absolutely classic Los Angeles noir movie worth watching and rewatching.
Analysis
This original story was written by Robert Towne and is based on the previous tradition of noir films, but it has novation to intrigue and trick the audience. The strongest point of the screenplay is the quick and efficient pace that leads the viewers from one mystery to an answer that reveals more questions, and the truth constantly keeps slipping away. At the same time, the storytelling line is well-thought, the audience gets all the mystery elements on the screen, and all secrets are revealed to make viewers connect all clues and dots. The very structure of the film is a true detective story because all scenes and minor expositions are not what they seem to be at first and serve a double purpose. Overall, Chinatown’s screenplay is a long, tricky road of confusion that leads to an answer with no question.
Acting in the film, especially Jack Nicholson’s performance, was praised by all critics, even those who did not appreciate the script. The characters follow the traditional noir style – the disappointed and world-weary detective meets femme fatale, but as expected, with a twist. Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway had to walk a fine line between the stereotypical noir image and deeper internal problems, experiences, and changes. Jack Nicholson made the audience fall in love with him and sympathize with the character till the end while masterfully demonstrating spiraling into anger, madness, and despair. The acting is also deceptive and peculiar; like the script, it leaves the audience guessing about the interpretations of certain words and actions.
The location of the shootings plays an essential role in the movie because Los Angeles is deeply associated with detective movies and was a film set for many of them. In addition, there are locations with metaphorical meaning; for instance, water has its symbolic meaning in the movie. There are many water scenes because the detective is uncovering a historical water scandal. At the same time, the audience starts associating water with mystery and something that you see all the time but cannot make sense of. Thus, the locations combine recognizable places for noir detectives, historical context, and plenty of hints and clues for the viewers.
Conclsuion
Hence, Chinatown is one of the best noir detective stories with an intriguing, twisted plot and incredibly attractive main characters. The film breaks the traditional noir image of a good detective and turns into a narrative about the futility of good intentions. However, the best part of the experience of watching Chinatown is that the audience can fully immerse in history by looking for the clues and following them. The viewers merge with the detective, chasing the truth and going down the rabbit hole until they are captured by the feeling of hopeless malice at the end of the film.