Masterpiece

Rating: Null/10 (19 December 2000)

Chinatown(1974) is the Noir feature that all Neo Noirs made today look up as their inspiration. Filled with excellent acting, great story, superb direction, terrific music, and wonderful writing. Chinatown was made in a great year for films(1974) that included The Conversation and The Godfather Part 2. I wasn't big with the movie when I first saw it but after a few viewings came to love it for its depiction of corruption and evil. Chinatown is not a pure Film Noir because its not a black and white movie and doesn't have any low key and high contrast lighting.
Chinatown(1974) was filmed during the daytime. This contrasts other Noirs as they usually are filmed at night. This changed the way Noir pictures would be perceived. Many Neo Noirs after Chinatown(1974) would follow in the film's lead by having the action take place during the day. This is a rare instance where the Noir picture is given a daytime atmosphere that works.
Chinatown(1974) was the first Noir to be shown in color. This was because the movie had a much bigger budget compared to the average Film Noirs of the 1940s and 1950s. Also, black and white photography was out of style during this period. The director wanted to try something different by filming Chinatown in color instead of doing it in the usual black and white. Chinatown(1974) as well as L.A. Confidential(1997) are the few Noir features that are helped by color.
There were many disagreements during the making of Chinatown. The director and writer had separate ideas on how the film should be portrayed. Robert Towne did an excellent job in writing the screenplay. Robert Towne has not been involved in anything this good since. The film's true brilliance goes to director, Roman Polanski who brings things to life with perfect execution.
Jack Nicholson gives out the best acting job of his career in role of J.J. Gittes. Jake Gittes is in the tradition of Sam Spade and Phililp Marlowe. He is involved in the same line of detective work as Mickey Spillane protagonist, Mike Hammer. The actor plays his character with panache. His performance is worthy of the legendary Humphrey Bogart.
The art direction is a marval to behold. The depiction of 1930s Los Angeles is outstanding. Los Angeles is portrayed as mysterious and guilty. The actors do a terrific job at blending in with the art designs. Its one of the most beautiful film designs that I've ever seen.
Chinatown(1974) has its share of memorable lines. one great is by Noah Cross which goes as "Whores, buildings, and politicans become respectible if they last long enough". Another great line is "The future, Mr. Gitts, the future" when asked by Gittes on why he is committing fraud. The best line of the film is "see, Mr. Gitts, most people never have to face the fact that, at the right time and the right place, they're capable of anything". Finally, there is the classic line "As little as possible".
Chinatown(1974) is an unique motion picture because of its double plot. The two plots of the film are the water plot and incest plot. The two plots although different from each other are in reality interrelated. The water plot deals with money and power and the incest plot has to do with control for the future and power. These two plots combined are related to the theme of evil, greed, and power.
John Huston is outstanding as the evil and villainious Noah Cross. Faye Dunaway is fascinating and powerful as the doomed Mrs. Mulwray. Roman Polanski makes a memorable appearence as the man with the knife. The director's best films are Chinatown(1974), Repulsion(1965), and The Tenant(1976). Chinatown(1974) is a great motion picture of immortal proportions.