Chinatown: Movie Analysis

Chinatown

Jack Nicholson stars in Romon Polanski’s part mystery and part psychological drama Chinatown, Set in the 1940’s dried up Los Angeles. This Film is made up of a complex story line that is supported by the articulate acting of costars Fayne Dunaway and John Huston. The multilayered story line pulls you in and doesn’t let you go, as J.J. Gittes (Jack Nicholson) discovers himself trapped between mysteries trying to solve his way out.

J.J. Gittes (Nicholson), a former cop, now private detective is trying to keep his head abover water during a drought in 1940’s Los Angeles, California. Evelyn Cross Mulwray (Dunaway) is a high society socialite at the heart of this psychological drama. She is also declares herself a mystery to the viewers of this film. In this Beautiful choreographed storyline, J.J. Gittes is trying to solve two mysteries at once. The First mystery involves J.J. discovering Evelyn’s true identity and where she belongs. The other consists of J.J. trying to figure who is involved behind the vanishing of precious fresh water during this terrible drought. During Mr.Gittes endeavors he runs into many unexpected encounters and trouble while trying to unravel these psychological stumping puzzles.

There were many other elements that made this film spectacular. The acting by both Jack Nicholson and Fayne Dunaway help to propel the film to greatness. Nicholson plays the part of J.J. in a way that no one else could. His attitude and body language perfectly portray the personality of an intelligent, mystery solving, mastermind. The costume design was 100 percent accurate to the 1940’s. The ladies hats were very authentic and all the businessmen’s hats added the extra touch to make the atmosphere more realistic. Another important element of the film that made it successful was the editing. The pictures seemed to flow smoothly; it seemed as if there were no change in between scenes and shots. Cinematography was outstanding in the film. Cinematographer John A. Alonzo is brilliant, making it seem as if you are seeing dried up streets of Los Angeles during the 1940’s through the eyes of Mr.Gittes as he solves the mystery of depleted water. Fantastic Camerawork is also found in the house scene where the camera moves from room to room following the characters and the action.

Overall, Chinatown may as