1970's Neo-Noir and Polanski's "Chinatown"

                The beginning of the cycle of classic film noir in America arose in reaction to World War II, or the Depression according to some contemporary scholars. Polanski’s 1974 film Chinatown and the rise of the 1970’s neo-noir, like the arrival of classic film noir in the 1940s, are in reaction to many historical, cultural, and social factors. During the 1970s, social progressive values are shifting, political awareness increasing, political and economic liberty for women, hippie culture, opposition to the Vietnam War, opposition to nuclear weapons, the advocacy of world peace, and hostility to the authority of government and big business. Among these factors, we must consider the rise of capitalism and the increasingly overwhelming, all-encompassing monopolies, and the impenetrable class system, which is very clearly depicted in Chinatown.

The distrust felt by the middle and lower classes toward the police and the government once again surfaces, as the monopolistic elites control everyone and everything, including the police and the war. They are above the law, and the law rules in their favour, no matter what the cost. Society can no longer trust in or rely on its police force and governing authorities, the system, their “protectors”. The collective feelings of isolation and alienation return, similar to the period of the classic noir. Society is once again unbalanced, with the rich, powerful, corrupt, tyrannical, monopolistic superpowers on top.

            In Chinatown, when Jake Gittes (Jack Nicholson) confronts Noah Cross (John Huston) about Horris Mulwray’s murder, on the account of his glasses being found in the salt-water pond, Noah admits that he did it. He puts all of the pieces together for Gittes, admitting to being behind the whole thing. Gittes briefly thinks he has got Noah, he’s going to take him to the police, turn him in, put an end to this mess. Noah quickly demonstrates that that is not the way things are going to play out, as one of his men approaches with an outstretched gun pointed in Gittes’ direction. Gittes asks how much Noah is worth, curious as to why he would go to these lengths if he already has well over ten million dollars. Noah and his colleagues are going to expand the city, take over, its “the future!” he shouts.

The audience and the few trusting characters in the film are lead to believe the police are investigating the death of Horris Mulwray, paralleling the independent investigation conducted by Gittes. Meanwhile, the police are in on the scheme, working under Noah Cross. “He’s rich! He can get away with anything! He owns the police!” Mrs. Mulwray (Faye Dunaway), Noah's own daughter, screams as she runs for her life. Those were her last words before she was shot dead by the police on her father’s command. Jake Gittes is stunned, shocked, in disbelief. America does not have the comfort of security, safety, justice, or peace.