The film world mourns the loss of Robert Towne, who passed away at 89. Oscar-winning writer of Chinatown, this genius screenwriter left an indelible mark on Hollywood with his incisive dialogue and complex plots, shaping the art of cinema.
Robert Towne, one of the greatest screenwriters in American cinema history, passed away peacefully at the age of 89, surrounded by his family, on July 1, 2024, in Los Angeles. His death marks the end of an era for Hollywood, that of New Hollywood in the 1970s, during which he was one of the most talented and influential architects.
Born in 1934, Robert Towne began his career in the 1960s as a screenwriter for low-budget productions. But it was in the following decade that he truly established himself as one of the undisputed masters of cinematic writing. His masterpiece, Chinatown (1974), is still considered by many to be the best original screenplay ever written for the big screen.
This film noir, which features Jack Nicholson as a private detective investigating a corruption case in 1930s Los Angeles, is a model of the genre. The complex plot, sharp dialogue, and murky atmosphere that emanated from it made Chinatown an instant classic, rewarded with the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay in 1975.
But Towne’s talent was not limited to this single film. He was nominated for Oscars three consecutive times in the 1970s, forThe Last Detail (1973), Chinatown (1974), and Shampoo (1975), co-written with Warren Beatty. This last nomination earned him praise from Lee Grant, who won an Oscar for her role in the film, and who saluted on social media “a life, like the characters he created, incisive, iconoclastic, and entirely original.”
Towne was also renowned for his work as a “script doctor,” intervening on existing scripts to improve them or add key scenes. Although often uncredited, his contribution was crucial for films that have become cult classics, such as Bonnie and Clyde (1967) or The Godfather (1972). Francis Ford Coppola himself publicly thanked him during his Oscar speech for a memorable scene between Al Pacino and Marlon Brando.
His career experienced some setbacks, notably with Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes (1984), for which he disavowed the final result to the point of using his dog’s name as a pseudonym in the credits. The sequel to Chinatown, The Two Jakes (1990), also did not meet the expected success.
However, Towne bounced back by collaborating with Tom Cruise on several successful projects in the 1990s, including Days of Thunder, The Firm, and the first two installments of the Mission: Impossible franchise. He also directed several films, including Personal Best (1982) and Tequila Sunrise (1988), demonstrating a rare versatility in the industry.
Robert Towne’s influence on American cinema is immeasurable. His unique style, blending sophisticated intrigue, punchy dialogue, and social criticism, has inspired generations of screenwriters. In 2006, the Writers Guild of America ranked Chinatown as the third greatest screenplay of all time, just behind Casablanca and The Godfather, two films on which Towne had also worked.
His death has prompted numerous tributes in the film industry. The American Film Institute saluted his “everlasting influence,” while many filmmakers and critics emphasized the importance of his legacy. Scott Tobias stated in a recent Guardian article that no original screenplay in the last 50 years had matched that of “Chinatown” in terms of narrative elegance, political charge, and historical evocation.
Robert Towne leaves behind his second wife, Luisa, and his daughters, Chiara and Katharine. His family announced that a ceremony in his honor would be organized later, asking for respect for their privacy in these times of mourning.
With AFP
