JJ Jake Gittes is a private detective who seems to specialize in matrimonial cases. He is hired by Evelyn Mulwray when she suspects her husband Hollis builder of the citys water supply system of having an affair. Gittes does what he does best and photographs him with a young girl but in the ensuing scandal it seems he was hired by an impersonator and not the real Mrs. Mulwray. When Mr. Mulwray is found dead Jake is plunged into a complex web of deceit involving murder incest and municipal corruption all related to the citys water supply.
Review
While I dont care too much for Roman Polanskis style of direction(maybe Ill grow to like it eventually maybe not) I cant deny that this is a truly great film. Jack Nicholson really shines through in his role and his acting in this film perfectly fits the character... his shark smile his voice his tone... all of it perfect. I always thought when watching films with Nicholson that hed make a great lead in a noir film so when I found this film and discovered that it was indeed noir I naturally saw it as soon as possible. I found the film to have a slightly slower pace than what I would have preferred or expected but apart from that minor detail it was flawless. The plot is great and thoroughly interesting and involving. The pacing while not fast all the time is more than acceptable. There are sequences that are really intense and exciting. The acting is great... like I said earlier Nicholson shines through and really takes this character and makes him his own. The characters are wellwritten and credible. The special effects are welldone and still hold up pretty well. The dialog is very wellwritten and memorable. There are quite a few quotable lines as well. The cinematography is good and even when the plot doesnt move a lot Polanski keeps our interest through interesting angles and sequences. I liked that there was often something subtle going on in the background while were focusing on whats directly in front of us. While Polanski certainly doesnt possess the attention to detail that Kubrick does he manages to put a good bit of detail into many of the shots and there is fairly little left to coincidence or chance much like Kubrick. The film has a few twists that are quite good and they come as surprises... I dont think I really saw them coming and I doubt anyone would be able to. Of course some might not find the twists to be that impressive but the story stands on its own nicely as well. This is a great movie which should be seen by just about anyone who can take it(its more than just casually adult in nature even though theres not that much violence or sex in it). I recommend this film to anyone who enjoys film noir watching Jack Nicholson in perfect shape in a role that was tailormade for him a good mystery Roman Polanskis direction and just a good movie with a more adult tone that many others. 1010