Review of Chinatown (1974) by Joseph W — 30 Jan 2012

Roman Polanski's marvelously complex landmark masterpiece is a fascinating mystery which is set in 1930s Los Angeles. Private-eye J.J. Gittes, played to perfection by Jack Nicholson in a astonishingly bravura performance which earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor he gets hired by a mysterious femme fatale named Evelyn Mulwray, played beautifully by Faye Dunaway in a brilliant Oscar nominated performance of great subtlety to investigate her husband, Hollis the Chief Engineer of the Water Department of a extra-marital affair, Gittes is swept into a web of double dealings, deceits, political scandals and murder, all leading to an unforgettable and powerful climatic in "Chinatown.

" Sensational direction by Roman Polanski with a captivating and intelligent Oscar winning original screenplay by Robert Towne, stunning cinematography by John A, Alonzo, and an evocative, dynamic score by the late Jerry Goldsmith.

This tour-de-force benefits greatly from the superlative supporting performances by Perry Lopez, John Hillerman, Diane Ladd, Darrell Zwerling, Burt Young, Bruce Glover, James Hong. Special kudos must go to the late great director and character actor John Huston for his magnificent portrayal of the perverted and monstrously evil landowner Noah Cross.

Roman Polanski makes a memorable cameo appearance as a short sadistic switchblade wielding thug who savagely cuts Nicholson's nose. "Chinatown" stands as one of the true great classic films of 'the 70s, a cinematic treasure.

Nominated for 11 Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director: Roman Polanski. Highly Recommended.