Review of Chinatown (1974) by Drannab V — 11 Feb 2013

Chinatown is the defining image of the word 'Noir'.

It's exceptionally excellent as a film and as a piece of filmmaking.

The plot is really interesting and it goes back and forth between two plots that are so enticing that you put all your focus into one and practically forget the other one.

It also constantly maintains an immaculate level of intensity which keeps you on the end of the seat regardless of the situation, be it Jake Gites under attack or deep in an intense investigation. The constant tone in the atmosphere is flawless.

Another thing enhancing the atmosphere is the unforgettable musical score that set's the mood perfectly and is defininitive of the word 'Noir' in terms of it's auditary style and qualities. It's very mysterious and eerie and just unforgettable. It's almost as if you can actually feel the music in the air. The sound editing crew also did a good job playing with the sound of the film.

It also has an excellent and clever screenplay that ensures when the story twists and turns in strange directions it works perfectly. It also assists the actors in their character development into the insight of their minds, even though it's not required because the acting is outstanding here.

What's also astounding is the fact that the cinematography also provides insight into the characters' frame of mind because of the way that the camera is constantly strategically placed to follow on with the character of importance, much like in the classic Alfred Hitchcock films such as Vertigo.

Another thing worthy of an Academy Award is the immaculated editing. It changes the feel of the situation extremely well and can change the mood anytime with fading or cutting at the perfect point in time.

Roman Polanski did an excellent job as the director of Chinatown. He covered many themes and issues here that may have been concerns of his own psychological structure which may explain some of the complicated behaviour in his life. He covers them brutally well and doesen't leave any grit out of it. He builds an unforgettable creation and masterpiece of cinema and film noir. No matter what the police officer said at the end of the film, I will not forget it. IT'S CHINATOWN!

The performances in Chinatown are all very good, but the two to single out would definetely be Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway.

Jack Nicholson was stuck in my head as being crazy because of his famed performances in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and The Shining, as well as being a villain for his performance in the latter, as well as in Batman. Here, I quickly changed my image of him as I began to witness him as a good-intentioned investigator and the gritty performance he gave was magnificent. He was able to Manipulate the mood of any scene by merely changing his facial actions, and they proved to be good insight into his mind and how he was constantly thinking. His performance was excellent and tough and gritty and so many other things. Jack Nicholson is undoubtable one of the greatest living actors.

Faye Dunaway also added a good mysterious sense to the film, as far back as when Jake see's the photo of Evelyn and nothing is what it seems. She added a large sense of mystery as well as nostalgia to the film and performed with a large amount of grace and charm.

Chinatown is a film that demands multiple viewings, but is excellent the first time and i'm imagining will be even better the next time. Chinatown is an excellent piece of film history on so many levels and is certainly one of the greatest films ever made and unforgettable with a fine touch of noir.