The filthy and barbaric behind a city of angels

Mona 2022-03-21 09:01:14

Although it is called "Chinatown", it has nothing to do with the Chinese Chinatown. "Chinatown" here is used to describe the early social ecology of the city of Los Angeles. Chinatown, as a metaphor, sums up the dirt and barbarism behind a city of angels. The 1937 Los Angeles depicted in the film has begun to wrap the vulgar body in luxurious coats. These two materials, rough and delicate, reveal the urging essence of an outbreak city. The script explores all the key resources for a city to build civilization: land, capital, water, public opinion and even eroticism, as well as all the violent games to compete for these resources. This makes it difficult for viewers not to worry about the fragile cornerstones of urban civilization. Of course, the script did not go offside to become a political film, it deliberately maintains all the characteristics of a suspense film, but just missed the opportunity to let some keywords jump out of the course of the event. It reminds me of the recent movie "Changeling", the backgrounds of the two movies are so similar! But for an urban researcher, the textual function of "Chinatown" is irreplaceable.

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Extended Reading
  • Angie 2021-10-20 19:02:14

    The world is unified. Don't forget, this is in China.

Chinatown quotes

  • Jake Gittes: Hello, Claude. Where'd you get the midget?

  • Lt. Escobar: You must really think I'm stupid, don't you, Gittes.

    Jake Gittes: I don't think about it that much, but gimme a day or two and I'll get back to yuh. Now I'd like to go home.

    Lt. Escobar: I want the other pictures, Gittes.

    Jake Gittes: What pictures?

    Lt. Escobar: THIS broad hired you, not Evelyn Mulwray.

    Jake Gittes: Yeah?

    Lt. Escobar: Yeah. Somebody wanted to shake Mulwray down; she hired you. That's how come you found out he was murdered.

    Jake Gittes: I heard it was an accident.

    Lt. Escobar: C'mon, Gittes. The hell d'you think you're dealing with? A bunch of assholes? Mulwray had salt water in his lungs. You were following him day and night; you SAW who killed him. You even took pictures of it. It was Evelyn Mulwray, and she's been payin' you off like a slot machine ever since.

    Jake Gittes: You accusin' me of extortion?

    Lt. Escobar: Absolutely!

    Jake Gittes: I don't think I need a day or two; you're dumber than you think I think y'are.