A Synthesis of Cinematic Class...A Film Firing on All Cylinders

Rating: 10/10 (29 November 2017)

As Perfect as a Motion Picture can be, "Chinatown" is considered a Masterpiece in "Critics" Circles and Public Opinion Decidedly Doesn't Differ much.
It's one of those Films where all the Ingredients that make up a Movie Synthesize in a Symmetric Conglomerate of Cinematic Class.
Nominated for 11 Academy Awards (winning only 1, Best Original Screenplay) the Movie was a Bono-Fide Hit with Critics but the Public took a while to Warm Up to its Charms. The Final Box-Office Toll for the Year...it came in 15th.
However, since then it is Fondled Over by Fans and Film Historians as an Object of Affection. Movie Making at its Best. A Flawless Film that is Firing on All Cylinders. Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway, John Huston and a Great Supporting Cast Deliver the Robert Towne Script Effortlessly.
Bathed in a Sun-Baked Glow of Burnt Brown and Yellow with Highlights of Bright Red/Orange, the Cinematography of John Alonzo was an Attractive Anomaly for its Time.
Most Films of the Era were Shot in Stark, Gritty, Realism in Sync with a Postmodern Template and Hays-Code Busted, Unfettered, No Frills Format.
Alonzo's "Chinatown" is Dreamy as it Lights the "Nightmarish" Underbelly of Evil Displayed by the "Money Men" and Forgers that gave Birth to Los Angeles. It's Pulpish Tonality adds a Lush Layer to the Lured.
Jerry Goldsmith's Haunting Score is also Memorable in its Minimalism of Horn and Single Note Piano. Goldsmith was brought in at the Last Minute and Composed the Music in 9 Days.
Director Roman Polanski Considers this His Second Best Film after "The Pianist" (2002). Most Agree that the Maestro of "Chinatown" was Surely on Top of His Game with this Homage to Film-Noir where He took Chances with Conventions, Filming in Glorious Color, No Voice Over Narration, and Wide Screen for Example.
The Film has many Fascinations and Stands Up to Repeated Viewings. It's a Feast of Film-Making Techniques that, in fact, may Require Repeated Viewing to Fully Appreciate.