The Two Jakes 1990

In the aftermath of the war in Los Angeles, a troubling wiretapping uncovers a scandal that turns deadly. The recording, made by private investigator J.J. “Jake” Gittes for his client, real-estate developer Jake Berman, aims to expose Berman’s unfaithful wife Kitty in an affair with Bodine, Berman’s own associate. The plot thickens when Berman commits cold-blooded murder, shooting Bodine as he seeks refuge in the motel’s bathroom. This horrifying act is captured on the tape, which also includes a cryptic mention of Katherine Mulwray, a name that brings painful memories to Gittes.

Katherine, the offspring of Gittes’s former client and lover, Evelyn Mulwray, was born out of a tragic and sordid past involving her father, Noah Cross. As the story unfolds, it becomes evident that Gittes was ensnared in a scheme for profit; Berman killed with sinister intent, having orchestrated the murder to claim Bodine’s share of the lucrative B&B Homes. The situation is complicated further when it is revealed that Bodine’s will excludes his beautiful widow, Lillian Bodine, leaving Berman as the sole beneficiary, raising suspicions about a conspiracy between Berman and Kitty for financial gain.

Amid the chaos, Gittes uncovers the devious plans behind Berman’s real estate projects, which are secretly being exploited for their underground resources by the greedy oil magnate, Earl Rawley. In a pivotal court hearing where the recorded evidence is presented, Gittes makes a risky decision to manipulate the audio, effectively shielding Berman’s actions and protecting the enigmatic Kitty, who is actually the disguised Katherine Mulwray.

The tangled web of deceit grows as Gittes determines that unique legal shifts forced Katherine to relinquish her rights to the land and mineral wealth to the unscrupulous nightclub owner, Michael ‘Mickey Nice’ Weisskopf. Bodine’s blackmail over Berman regarding Katherine’s true identity ultimately fuels the fatal confrontation. Desperate to secure his wife’s future, Berman, who is suffering from terminal illness, makes the consequential choice to end his life dramatically amidst his properties.

In the somber conclusion, Gittes has a heartfelt exchange with Kitty/Katherine as she prepares to leave his office. Their discussion about the burdens of their shared history concludes with the poignant sentiment that “It (the past) never goes away,” underscoring the indelible impact of past choices on their lives.