Jack Nicholson plays a private investigator named Jake Gittes. He is hired to uncover an affair by one L.A.'s water commissioner. He (and his team) follow the rather dull man around to various reservoirs and outtake pipes. Finally he is seen with a young woman and photographed.
Scandal erupts and then mystery. The woman who hired him wasn't what she seemed to be. This sets up a complicated plot that hinges on a water conspiracy and a strained father/daughter relationship.
Like most hardboiled detective movies, the plot isn't as important as the characterization and the style. Nicholson is very able with the role but it isn't a knockout. Just double checked and he was nominated for Best Actor in this role. Guess the Academy and I will have to disagree here. Faye Dunaway (also nominated) plays a very icy woman who has had a very hard life. She was good but not outstanding.
What worked? The story. It unfolds calmly and with great care. Step by step we find out each part of the web (almost). The final scene shows a shaken Nicholson as things fall apart. His comrade tells him not to take it to heart, "Forget it Jake. That's Chinatown."
A good movie.
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