Video Essays

Excellent essay, really enjoyed it. I've never really questioned Gittes as a protagonist before, but you make some very strong points about him. You're right that the film bears its roots in its cynicism, especially in regards to the evil and powerful being punished in this world, and that Jake should know better than anyone that this is the case. But he's also a character plagued by the wrongs in his past, so blowing this case open on his own (remember also that Gittes has a very contentious relationship with the LAPD and Lou Escobar) in order to remedy those mistakes is very likely what propels him most to attempt to be the hero. Very strong point and conversation on the film which I think is made even more interesting being a noir. Typically in noirs, even if the bad guy wins or the protagonist is more of an anti-hero than a morally upright figure, there's some sense of justice that's constantly being carried out. In Chinatown, there really isn't. You get the sense that though Los Angeles at this point is a well-established city that it was almost operating on its own terms in its infancy, and powerful people like Noah Cross can go unchecked, and as you pointed out that's exactly what happens. The bad guys don't really lose anything here, while the "heroes" suffer great losses, all culminating in Evelyn's death at the end of the film.

Chinatown is a beautiful film that does present a romantic look at 1930s LA, but you're right that at its core it's a highly cynical film that doesn't compromise that stance.