Chinatown, directed by Roman Polanski and written by Robert Towne, is a landmark in American cinema and a quintessential film noir. Unlike typical detective stories of the 1940s, it presents a darker, more morally complex narrative, blending crime, mystery, and human tragedy. Recognized for its brilliance, the film received 11 Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, and has been included twice in the AFI’s 100 Greatest Films list, in 1998 and 2007. Its lasting influence stems from the depth of its characters, its intricate plot, and the way it confronts the harsh realities of corruption and human cruelty.
Set in 1937 Los Angeles, the story follows private detective Jake Gittes (Jack Nicholson) as he investigates a series of suspicious deaths tied to water and land deals in the city’s then-unincorporated valley region. While inspired by real historical events concerning water development in Los Angeles, the film’s central plot and its conclusion were largely fictionalized to create a compelling narrative. Polanski and Towne carefully crafted a story that combined classic noir elements with a darker realism, reflecting both the 1930s setting and the social and political concerns of the 1970s, when the film was released.
The plot begins with the mysterious death of Hollis Mulwray, a city engineer connected to the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. Gittes, a private detective with a reputation for uncovering corruption, is hired to look into Mulwray’s affairs. As he digs deeper, he uncovers a web of deceit, murder, and greed orchestrated by Noah Cross (John Huston), a powerful landowner with personal and financial motives. Gittes’s investigation gradually exposes the depth of Cross’s manipulation, revealing that the killings and schemes were part of a calculated effort to control land and water resources, regardless of human cost.
Faye Dunaway as Evelyn Cross Mulwray (Chinatown/Paramount Pictures)Mulwray and Ida’s Deaths Expose Greed, Corruption, and Hidden Family Secrets
Mulwray’s death acts as the catalyst for the unfolding tragedy. He opposed Cross’s plans to divert water to benefit his real estate interests, making him a target. Similarly, Ida Sessions, a woman employed by Cross to mislead Mulwray and Gittes, is killed after she inadvertently threatens Cross’s plans. These murders illustrate the central theme of Chinatown: unchecked greed and corruption often operate with impunity, and ordinary people have little recourse against powerful interests. The film does not shy away from showing the human consequences of these abuses, demonstrating how ambition and avarice can destroy lives.
One of the film’s most disturbing revelations concerns Evelyn Mulwray (Faye Dunaway) and her daughter, Katherine. Initially, Gittes believes Katherine is Evelyn’s sister, but Evelyn later reveals that Katherine is in fact her daughter, the product of a sexual assault by her father, Noah Cross, when she was fifteen. This dark family secret amplifies the narrative’s sense of tragedy and moral corruption. The revelation also reinforces the film’s noir sensibility: evil and exploitation often lie beneath the surface of seemingly respectable social structures.
Gittes Fails to Save Evelyn and Katherine, Highlighting Corruption’s Unstoppable Power
In the climactic sequence, Gittes attempts to rescue Evelyn and Katherine from Cross’s control. Their escape plan fails, resulting in Evelyn being killed by the police, who are complicit in Cross’s schemes. Cross emerges unscathed, taking custody of Katherine. The devastating ending leaves Gittes powerless, underscoring the futility of individual action against entrenched institutional corruption. The film’s final line, “Forget it… it’s Chinatown,” encapsulates this bleak worldview, signaling that some systems are so corrupt that moral righteousness cannot prevail.
By situating the story in 1930s Los Angeles, Chinatown comments on contemporary issues of the 1970s, including political corruption, systemic inequality, and institutional abuse. The setting highlights how societal indifference and complicity allow exploitation to flourish. Chinatown, both a literal neighborhood and a symbolic space, represents the margins of society where injustice can occur unnoticed. Polanski uses the film’s historical context to deliver a broader critique of power, greed, and moral decay, reflecting the anxieties and disillusionment of his own time.
Chinatown remains a touchstone of American cinema, praised for its writing, direction, and performances, particularly by Nicholson and Dunaway. Critics and audiences alike have lauded the film for its intricate plotting, rich characterizations, and uncompromising depiction of human corruption. While some viewers find the ending unsettling or pessimistic, others interpret it as a realistic reflection of societal power structures. Its enduring influence is evident in its frequent inclusion in “best films” lists and its continued relevance as a study of human ambition, moral compromise, and the pervasive impact of systemic corruption.
