Great Movie: ''Chinatown''

For some reason, mystery movies seem to put some people off. Maybe, it is the stigma of the warning. It is a ''mystery'', which means that for a good chunk of the movie you will not know what the hell is going on. Today's audience, so trained to take things in a quick bite of attention, needs to be let in on the secret of all great mysteries: it is ok to not know what is happening and why. Confusion is part of the fun. When the confusion recedes, then the mind enjoys the solving of the riddle. That is what is at heart in all great mysteries. And, that is ''Chinatown''....... The great Jack Nicholson has been telling Hollywood that he has retired from acting. At 76, Jack is having memory issues, therebye, dimming the very memory skills that acting requires. This is to be expected in all of us as we age, but, Jack Nicholson always seemed to be in a winning race with Father Time. Sure, his face is well-worn. The years of fast-living and multitudes of late-nights are all over his soul. But, Jack [ and, we all call him that] has run life on his own terms, without deferring to anyone. The fact he is hampered by age makes him just like us:mortal. He will always have the market on cool. Some people have it flowing from them without the slightest effort. Jack has always seemed like that guy you knew in high school. You know, the one who had all of the angles covered. He was one step ahead in knowledge and experience. You followed Jack's lead and felt comfortable in his presence. I'm sure he is, in many ways, not the image in real-life that he projects in reel-life. It doesn't matter, though. He is what we think he is and that is at the heart of why he has been so welcomed in our movie watching life for all of the years. We identify with him on-screen. We feel his anger, frustration, lust, and a sense of that the world just needs to lie back and have a good time. He is the Ultimate Rascal. Many of his screen performances celebrate his lifestyle, that of a free-swinging bachelor. But, in the 1970's, his prime time for acting, he flourished in many roles that he disappeared in. The highlight was his extraordinary work in ''Chinatown''......... Robert Towne wrote the screenplay for his pal Nicholson in 1971. They were old friends, going back to the acting classes they took together in the early 1960's. Towne was no actor, but, one hell of a writer, who promised his buddy that if they ever hit the big-time in Hollywood,  he, Towne, would write the ultimate role for his buddy, Jack. Soon, this pipedream became a reality. Towne distinguished himself by ''script doctoring'' ''Bonnie And Clyde'' and a crucial scene in ''The Godfather''  [the scene where Brando and Pacino talk in the garden]. Jack broke through with ''Easy Rider'' and followed up with ''Five Easy Pieces'' and ''Carnal Knowledge''. He was a cult actor, just about to explode into superstardom, if only he could find the right vehicle. Robert Towne had it. It was a complex mystery in the old Bogart way. A shamus private investigator, known for adultery cases, stumbles into a case that ultimately shocks his soul and forever changes his life. Towne also brought into the main story the old-forgotten real-life tale of how Los Angeles got its water supply. It involved murder, deception, bribery, and the loss of innocence. Combining the water story with the story of infidelity brought this movie to another level. And, Towne fashioned the private eye named Jake Gittes after Jack Nicholson. Gittes is a bit of a dandy, with clothes, women, and using language for his own personal power. Jake Gittes was the rock and roll version of Humphrey Bogart. The story of ''Chinatown'' is set in 1937, but, the movie was finally made in 1974. That year corruption ran rampant with Watergate and the lies and disclosures of our government. ''Chinatown'' straddled the old feeling of the mystery with the new-age feeling of cynicism. Both elements made the story of Jake Gittes soar....... I will not tell too much of the story for those who have never seen it. Any movie of value should always keep its secrets. And, in a mystery, it is the paramount thing to stick to. But, a few things can be spoken about the story that will not ruin the narrative. Jake Gittes is visited in his office by a mysterious woman who has a problem with a cheating husband. This husband is no average man. He is a man in the deepest regions of power in Los Angeles. His name is Hollis Mulwray and he is the head of the Water and Power Department for the city. Gittes, who usually works the nickle and dime cases of wandering spouses, is instantly alert to the possibilities of taking on the case of a high-profile public figure. He sees the money, yes, but he also sees the danger. At first, he tries to talk the woman out of investigating her husband. ''Let sleeping dogs lie'', is his advice. But, the woman does not want to let the dog of a husband off. She wants proof of the affair and is prepared to pay handsomely for the results. Gittes agrees, and starts doing his job, which is following the husband as he trails from one end of Los Angeles to another. He gets some pictures, but, they don't add up. Nothing of the husband, Mulwray, with any loose skirt. Instead, he has pictures of Mulwray with powerful men. It isn't until one of Jake's assistants calls excitedly with the news that he has the old man in a love nest with a young girl that Gittes gets the pictures and results he wants. He turns the incriminating evidence over to the shamed wife, and..... well, the story gets into the real plot soon after. The story is well-told. Never are we bored [ maybe, a little confused, but, remember, that is ok in a mystery] and all the pieces all fall together as the story goes forth. We, the audience, learn all of the facts as Gittes does. And, we are as stunned and shaken as he is........ The acting is superb from head to toe. Faye Dunaway is properly mysterious. The legendary director, John Huston, is expertly all-powerful in his role as the lord of the city. And, the direction from Roman Polanski is outstanding in every way. All of them royally chew on the dialogue and plot points that screenwriter Towne has designed. But, everyone is blown out of the water by Nicholson. He is in every scene. He guides us through the mystery, always alert to more than meets the eye. And, he has the added benefit of reciting the fine lines of observations that Towne throws his way. Jack displays it all in the role: charm, confusion, wit, leering, anger, frustration, and sadness. They mix together in the finest performance of his career  in a career of fine performances...... I want to tell you so much more about this movie for those who have never had the pleasure of seeing it. But, I must play fair. It is worth the two hours out of your life to watch it. To recommend a movie, you have to concede some plot moments in order to sell the movie to your friends. I can't do that here. You must go on my word  [and, film scholars and critics, who routinely rate this movie as one of the finest in motion picture history]. This film will not let you down........ So, now, we are at the end of Jack Nicholson giving us his movie magic. As a dedicated fan, I selfishly want more. I want Jack to continue to brighten the screens of movieland forever. But, he deserves his rest and retirement. He earned it in spades. And, I, and every moviegoer, owe him a giant thank you for the countless hours of taking us away from our problems in life for a little diversion from the flicks. Jack led us from one memorable character and film to another. His work is in the popular culture forever. He will never be forgotton by those who always appreciate quality work. Jack is timeless, like a fine wine. Maybe, in the near future, he will give another movie a shot of his special brand of taste and quality. Until then, we have our movie memories of him that will always be a part of us. Thank you, Jack!!!!......... Something tells me that Jack will not go gently into the goodnight. He will still be at the Oscars, front and center, as he should be. He will be making the rounds at Hollywood and social parties, with his shades on and a shit-eating grin on his face. And, when the sad day does appear when he passes on, I would not be surprised of him going out in bed, after enjoying two young ladies, while a burning joint is in his hand.....He will be smiling that famous Jack smile........