Sam Wasson revisits one of the most pivotal moments in American film history – the making of Chinatown.

1974’s Chinatown, which starred Jack Nicholson and was directed by Roman Polanski, is widely regarded as a turning point in both the style and method of filmmaking in America. Behind the scenes of this groundbreaking motion picture though is a story of betrayal, deceit and passion from which none of the protagonists come away unscathed.

More than just a simple blow-by-blow history of shooting a film, the author fills in all the background details with a deep dive that reveals the motivations of all the main players. With a gripping narrative which becomes addictive for any reader, we see behind the gloss and glamour to the cutthroat world they all inhabit and the rules that they all must play by. Credit must also be given to Sam Wasson not shying away from addressing Roman Polanski’s crimes, and not attempting to excuse his past behaviour. Never boring, The Big Goodbye is essential reading for anyone interested in discovering how one of the most influential films in cinema history nearly never got made.

A truly compelling insight into one of the most fascinating periods of Hollywood’s history.

(review by Cliff)