Private eye Jake Gittes lives off of the murky moral climate of sunbaked, pre-World War II Southern California. Hired by a beautiful socialite to investigate her husband's extra-marital affair, Gittes is swept into a maelstrom of double dealings and deadly deceits, uncovering a web of personal and political scandals that come crashing together.
Writing
Towne's screenplay: perfect structure, devastating finish.
Direction
Polanski's cameo: the bandage stays on.
Acting
Nicholson's nose, Dunaway's tremor, Huston's evil.
Director
Roman Polanski
Jack Nicholson
J.J. 'Jake' Gittes
Faye Dunaway
Evelyn Cross Mulwray
John Huston
Noah Cross
Perry Lopez
Lieutenant Lou Escobar
Burt Young
Curly
John Hillerman
Russ Yelburton
Darrell Zwerling
Hollis I. Mulwray
Roman Polanski
Man with Knife
Diane Ladd
Ida Sessions
Richard Bakalyan
Detective Loach
Joe Mantell
Lawrence Walsh
Roy Jenson
Claude Mulvihill
James Hong
Evelyn's Butler
Bruce Glover
Duffy
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The water scandal was based on real California water wars—Mulholland's aqueduct literally stole water to build LA.
US
