Review of Chinatown (1974) by Sam P — 11 Apr 2012

Chinatown is a film with supposedly one of the greatest scripts in history, and regularly used as a benchmark. Every scene is deemed to involve either some advancement of plot, character development, or something otherwise just as important. I had always wanted to see it, but had never gotten around to it. So when recommended by my Screen-writing tutor, I jumped at the chance.

The film is good, very good. To start off with, the script is impeccable, with every moment utilized in the film accordingly, as well as every character given little moments that advances their background and the audiences knowledge of them. The script is also very impressive in terms of the opening scene, revealing much of the main character Jake Gittes without making it too obvious.

Jack Nicholson is also very good, this was the film that cemented him as a leading actor and you can see why, his performance very impressive all the way through, his character beginning the film hiding a depressive attitude to life, before being impassioned by the ability to help someone, a wonderful development in his character.

Faye Dunaway is also impressive, her character always played in a fearful, broken down manner, and her desperation to save her sister playing out very well. Her confession scene involved herself allowing to be slapped in real life, showing her willingness to sell the story and the character.

John Huston is wonderfully creepy and uncomfortable to watch even before his horrible crimes are committed, and is very impressive as the antagonist, his villainy believable and more fearful for it.

Roman Polanski directs it well, and even his hand in the making of the screenplay is evident, however, it is interesting his possible best film is also his least personal? However, the most amazing part is of course, the ending. The ending jolts the audience, and shocks them, if you go to watch this film, donâ(TM)t look up the ending before, the twist and ending are shocking, and leaves you numb by the end.