This is was achieved by having the setting of Chinatown becoming symbolic in the way in which Polanski views society. The mentioning of Chinatown throughout the film creates a concept that Chinatown is a dangerous and uncertain place where no one can be trusted and you can't distinguish between the good and the bad. This point of view is reinforced in the closing sequence by having the selfless and victimised character of Mrs. Mulwray killed in her final attempt to save her daughter. By having Mrs. Mulwray shot in the location of Chinatown, Polanski's disturbing vision of society is successfully concluded by having an unhappy ending that corresponds to the meaning of the Chinatown, as a doomed, ambiguous place, and by having the lieutenant tell Jake: "Forget it Jake, it's Chinatown" further summarises Polanski's pessimistic and cynical vision of society.
Roman Polanski's Chinatown shows (as discussed in class) "the seamier side of life". That is, the less pleasant yet entirely realistic side of society in the film. It does this by showing the audience the immense amount of corruption that is going on at the time the film is set. It appears that the majority of the city is influenced in some way by the Albacore Club, which is owned by the extremely wealthy Noah Cross. The deputy chief of the department of water and power, Russ Yelburton, is aware the tonnes of water being dumped into the ocean but does nothing about it. This shows how society is willing to turn a blind eye to what is wrong to avoid conflict or get what they want.
Through Polanski's distressing life experiences, he created the world Chinatown that amplified the evils for which conflicted the streets of Los Angeles. The implication of "irony" that is frequently used, accumulates to the deranged image of Chinatown. Morty, the medical examiner who did the autopsy on Hollis Mulwray has a low emphasis on the value of life. In conversation with Gittes, he quotes "Middle of the drought and the water commissioner drowns. Only in L.A". Morty's unconcerned joking banter and casual talk of the mysterious death of Hollis contributes the the overall heartless image depicted of Chinatown.
This is was achieved by having the setting of Chinatown becoming symbolic in the way in which Polanski views society. The mentioning of Chinatown throughout the film creates a concept that Chinatown is a dangerous and uncertain place where no one can be trusted and you can't distinguish between the good and the bad. This point of view is reinforced in the closing sequence by having the selfless and victimised character of Mrs. Mulwray killed in her final attempt to save her daughter. By having Mrs. Mulwray shot in the location of Chinatown, Polanski's disturbing vision of society is successfully concluded by having an unhappy ending that corresponds to the meaning of the Chinatown, as a doomed, ambiguous place, and by having the lieutenant tell Jake: "Forget it Jake, it's Chinatown" further summarises Polanski's pessimistic and cynical vision of society.
ReplyDeleteRoman Polanski's Chinatown shows (as discussed in class) "the seamier side of life". That is, the less pleasant yet entirely realistic side of society in the film. It does this by showing the audience the immense amount of corruption that is going on at the time the film is set. It appears that the majority of the city is influenced in some way by the Albacore Club, which is owned by the extremely wealthy Noah Cross. The deputy chief of the department of water and power, Russ Yelburton, is aware the tonnes of water being dumped into the ocean but does nothing about it. This shows how society is willing to turn a blind eye to what is wrong to avoid conflict or get what they want.
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ReplyDeleteThrough Polanski's distressing life experiences, he created the world Chinatown that amplified the evils for which conflicted the streets of Los Angeles. The implication of "irony" that is frequently used, accumulates to the deranged image of Chinatown. Morty, the medical examiner who did the autopsy on Hollis Mulwray has a low emphasis on the value of life. In conversation with Gittes, he quotes "Middle of the drought and the water commissioner drowns. Only in L.A". Morty's unconcerned joking banter and casual talk of the mysterious death of Hollis contributes the the overall heartless image depicted of Chinatown.
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