classic modern noir

Rating: 9/10 (1 January 2015)

JJ 'Jake' Gittes (Jack Nicholson) is a tough private detective. A woman (Diane Ladd) claiming to be Water and Power Chief Engineer Hollis Mulwray's wife wants him to investigate her cheating husband. Hollis opposes the new dam. Jake is able to get pictures of Hollis and a blonde. It gets on the front page of the papers. The real wife Evelyn Mulwray (Faye Dunaway) confronts Jake and plans to sue. Then Hollis is found dead at the reservoir.
Director Roman Polanski creates such a great hard-boiled noir feel. He takes an obscure subject and makes it fascinating. Nicholson is terrific as someone not so reputable. Polanski makes a fun cameo. There are some incredible scenes and iconic lines. It's funny at times. It's always compelling. It defines greatness for a specific era.