Chinatown Film Analysis

“Basically, they do in different ways what Polanski does in Chinatown: set the elements of a conventional popular genre in an altered context”. Although it doesn’t follow every guideline for a classic film noir film Chinatown is an example of the genre. The film simply takes place in modern times (when it came out). The 1970’s even provides a similar backdrop for the film to that of 1940’s film noir, a major war affecting the country. The film itself contains many key characteristics that noir will always be known for. Some of the characteristics include the style of the film, the femme fatale, and the emphasis of fatalism. I believe that even with some of the drastic differences between classic noir films and this one Chinatown is a modern
Schrader mentions 3 in his article that are displayed in this film: a Freudian attachment to water, certain moods created from narration, and a complex chronological order. To start off, the entire plot of the film centers on water. Hollis Mulwray and Noah Cross work with water, everywhere Hollis goes (when Gittes tails him) has to do with water, Hollis drowns, etc. The water also serves as a symbol for the contrast concerning human life. On one hand, people need water survive. On the other hand, water causes all the corruption that Noah Cross does and causes the death of Hollis. Water plays a vital role in Chinatown. Certain moods from narration; this film does not contain narration. However, the mood of temps perdu can still be felt, especially when someone mentions Chinatown. Gittes still has major regrets from his days in the police force. Something terrible happened that he could not stop. Now, whenever somebody mentions Chinatown he gets reminiscent and somber. His entire character changes and for a split second the classic hard-boiled detective seems to take his place. It’s a place of lost chances and filled with many regrets. Finally, this film follows complex chronological order of events. The film goes from scene to scene with no sense of time. The only time you get a real sense of how long between scenes it has been is during the dialogue. For instance, Gittes meets Noah cross the same day that he goes to the records hall and goes to the retirement home with Evelyn. All the events of the film get packed into a couple of days, yet you don’t know this until someone mentions it. You get lost in all the details that time seems to blend. These three stylistic techniques are just some of the ways that prove Chinatown is an example of film