Polanski's noir masterpiece

Rating: 10/10 (25 October 2005)

This is a film in which not a single image, not a single word, not a single sound is wasted. As an example of the art of making movies, it's about as close to a perfectly crafted film as you'll ever see anywhere. Take the opening scene, for example: once you've seen the film through, viewing it again--especially if you pay careful attention to the apparently meaningless small talk between Gettes and his fisherman client--will demonstrate how carefully put together everything is. You realize soon that you've been prepared for everything all along; like Gettes, it's all been there in front of your eyes, and you just didn't see it. Last but not least, the score is simply haunting and instantly evocative.