Written by Robert Towne · 1974
Robert Towne's neo-noir masterpiece, often cited as the best screenplay ever written. A private eye stumbles into a conspiracy involving water rights, incest, and corruption in 1930s Los Angeles. Won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.
Towne's structure is mystery within mystery within mystery. Every answer leads to a darker question. The famous final line — 'Forget it, Jake. It's Chinatown.' — works because the entire screenplay has been preparing you for the moment when knowing the truth doesn't matter, because nothing can be undone. Study this script for how to plant exposition without exposition. Study it for how to write a detective who doesn't see what's right in front of him until it's far too late.
INT. GITTES'S OFFICE — DAY
JAKE GITTES, 35, well-dressed, sits across from CURLY, who is sweating. CURLY She's just no good. JAKE What can I tell you, Kid? You're right. CURLY When she's home, she's a flower. She's a flower. I won't get rough with her. JAKE You wouldn't dream of it. CURLY (crying) No, I won't get rough with her. JAKE Down the hall there's a bar. Have yourself a drink on the house. Tell them I sent you. Curly stands, then collapses. Jake catches him. JAKE (CONT'D) You wanna sit down for a minute? CURLY No, no... thanks. I'm okay. I'm okay. Jake helps him up. CURLY (CONT'D) Mr. Gittes... you're a good man, Mr. Gittes. Thank you. JAKE Call me Jake.