Roman Polanski’s life in America was tainted by controversy, especially after the charge of sex with an underage girl before he fled to Europe, where he stayed away avoiding charges (the backlash still hitting him even today at local awards ceremonies), but he remains one of the all-time great film-making talents, which hit their zenith in 1974 with this period noir, which won an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for writer Robert Towne.
LA private eye Jake Gittes (Jack Nicholson) is approached by a Mrs. Mulwray (Diane Ladd) with regard to following up the possibility that her husband, Water and Power executive Hollis Mulwray is having an affair. At first glance, it seems nothing more than a bad relationship issue, but when the real Mrs. Evelyn Mulwray (Faye Dunaway) turns up with a law-suit on paper, Gittes needs to get to the bottom of why things have suddenly become even more complicated, compounded by rich businessman Noah Cross (John Huston) who has a big plan for the city…
A truly stylish affair that captures perfectly the spirit of classic noirs, some of which Huston directed in collaboration with Humphrey Bogart like THE MALTESE FALCON and THE BIG SLEEP, Polanski nailed it perfectly in a film that reflected the political unrest of the 1970s and the ambiguity of a city that has many layers. One of producer Robert Evans’ finest achievements, with a great stimulating score by Jerry Goldsmith.