Chinatown, San Francisco, 1928. Former private detective Dashiell Hammett, a compulsive drinker with tuberculosis who writes pulp fiction for a living, receives an unexpected visit from an old friend asking for help.
San Francisco, 1927. Hardboiled detective novelist Sam Hammett is drawn back into the shadowy world he writes about when an old friend, a pimp, asks for help with a Chinese prostitute who has disappeared. As Hammett investigates, he uncovers a conspiracy involving opium dens, blackmail, and murder, forcing him to confront the corrupt underbelly of the city he calls home.
Hammett received a mixed to negative reception from critics upon its release. While some praised its stylish visuals and atmospheric noir elements, many found the plot convoluted and the pacing uneven. Audience reception was similarly lukewarm, with the film failing to find a significant following.
Google audience: Audiences found the film to be visually appealing with a classic noir feel, but many were disappointed by the convoluted storyline and a lack of engaging character development.
The film underwent significant reshoots and directorial changes, with Francis Ford Coppola taking over some duties from Wim Wenders due to Wenders' struggles with the studio over creative control.
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