Stylish drama depicting institutional crime in 1930's Los Angeles. (Academy Award Winner Best Film)
Leads - Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway (both at the height of their powers)
Supporting - John Huston, John Hillerman, Burt Young ...
Direction - Roman Polanski
To paraphrase writer Robert Towne, "; this is a story about crimes performed by people of whom statues are later erected..."
While investigating a simple extramarital affair a canny but small-time private eye, Jake "...that's two 'tees' and one 'i' boys...", Gittes, finds himself vulnerable to forces he thought his jaded character was long impervious to.
For my money this is Nicholson's 'signature' film, he's fit, impeccably tailored and working with a femme fatale worthy of him in Faye Dunaway (who was then being routinely nominated for Oscars the way Meryl Streep is today). Multiple academy award winning director John Huston's raspy-voiced portrayal of the amoral powerbroker is intimidating, and proof that the Huston family's acting talent didn't skip a generation.
The script has been referred to as textbook perfect, possessing the requisites of substance, crisp dialogue, character development, plot subtlety, revelation, and a powerful climax.
This is also a rich film to the senses ..from it's haunting period score to its visual detail - beautiful period wardrobe, cars, and every accessory and set prop - from the blinds in Gittes office to the pocket watches used to time the departure of a subject of his observation.
One of my favorite lines, delivered as only Nicholson can, is a put-down by Gittes of a crooked ex-cop turned hired strongman as they encounter one another at the city water department, in response to Gittes question as to what he's doing there the mug says "They shut off my water, what's it to ya", Gittes replies "How'd you know it was off, you don't drink it,..you don't wash in it...I know!, they sent you a bill...but THEN you'd have to be able to REEEAD."
Telling him eloquently, that he's a filthy, illiterate drunk.
Do yourself a favor, turn down the distractions and follow every line of this sumptuous film. Enjoy!
PS compare Nicholson's Jake Gittes to Mitchem's Philip Marlowe, or Bogart's Sam Spade, the first film private eye. |
