Roman Polanski's "Chinatown" follows Gittes, a private detective hired to investigate a case regarding adultery, and instead finds corrupt, greed and murder. Set in 1937, Polanski revisits the narrative style of Film Noir.
As Costume Designer, I'd like to start with J. J. Gittes, a former-policeman trying to make an honest living. I can picture him in a black suit with a fedora of the same color. As he goes through trial and tribulation, the audience gets to know Gittes on a more personal level. By the end, I would make his color pallet change from black to a navy blue. He smokes cigarettes and drinks, just like any classic noir detective.
Duffy and Walsh are a team of lackluster detectives who do nothing but argue with one another. Because of this, I'd like to dress them similarly. Duffy's suit would be a darker tan while Walsh wears more of an oak tan.
Evelyn Mulwray is the female lead who is running from the very beginning. She's been through non-consensual incest with her father, defaming scandals and is constantly on the run after the half-point. As she gets tougher and tougher, I'd like her color pallet to shift from pale pinks (innocence) to a radiant red (fights back).
Ida Sessions, the sneaky woman who posed as Evelyn is the mini femme fatale in "Chinatown". I picture here as a sensual woman, trying too hard to look like she's the farthest thing from a threat. She should have long blonde hair and a semi-revealing dress (we don't want to make it too obvious now do we?)
Noah Cross is the hidden antagonist throughout the entire film. I picture him in a slick dark-gray trench coat symbolizing his apathy towards others, i mean, he killed a man.
Mr. Mulwray was the hardest to conceptualize, for his neutrality between Gittes and Cross. I decided he'd look good with a dark green suit. This implies a sickness to him- a poison. He's only got so many pages to live.
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