“Chinatown”
In Los Angeles’ Chinatown, circa 1940, you can hide anything… even depravity which would still be shocking today. Thus it was, and is, as Roman Polanski and Robert Towne depict the sordid corruptions of Southern California’s early real estate development industry.
As private investigator “Jake Giddes” (Jack Nicholson) soon learns, even a desert will bloom given water, but their is never enough of the stuff to wash away the sins of the world… thus California has since become the international icon of growth, glamour and prosperity, allowing bulldozers to run from one valley through the next without ever finding a sustainable way of living.
With academy awards as ample evidence, Chinatown is a must see primer both for those interested in the politics of development as well as the art of movie making.
Also worthy of attention (although not of the same stellar pedigree) is the sequel to Chinatown, “Two Jakes”. Rent and watch them back-to-back before attending your next city council meeting… that way you’ll understand just who and what you are up against.