Review of Chinatown (1974) by Terry D — 21 May 2012
A film-noir/neo-noir tour-de-force. Robert Towne's screenplay does Raymond Chandler proud. Jack Nicholson as J.J. Gittes ("Let me explain something to you, Walsh. This business requires a certain amount of finesse.
), Faye Dunaway as Evelyn Mulwray ("I don't get tough with anyone, Mr. Gittes. My lawyer does."), and John Huston as Noah Cross ("You've got a nasty reputation, Mr. 'Gitts'.
I like that.") are superlative. Jerry Goldsmith's score is evocative. 1930s L.A. looks terrific, greatly due to the spot-on lighting. Of course, as with any noir worth its weight in the stuff that dreams are made of, sinister goings-on lurk just below the surface.
Everything is just right here...absolutely perfect - it hits all the right angles. "Chinatown" is a masterpiece by director Roman Polanski and company - Polanski even has an amusing cameo role ("You're a very nosy fellow, kitty cat").
A solid fixture in my all-time top 5 films.
This review of Chinatown (1974) was written by Terry D on 21 May 2012.
Chinatown has generally received very positive reviews.
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