The Masterpiece that should have beat The Godfather Part II for Best Picture in the Oscar race

Rating: 10/10 (9 February 2006)

In Chinatown, it is not just the filming or the acting thats good, like in most cases. Everything in this movie is excellent; the writing is the best I have ever seen and I totally believed that it was the prewar 1940's. All of the characters are believable and the story line is great, not to mention the great musical score. This movie has a plethora of famous quotes such as when Gittes is at Mrs.Mulwray's home, Mrs.Mulwray asks Jake what he use to do working for the District Atourney, Gittes replies with, "As little as possible." All of the clothes, sets, and cars and any other items on screen point to the times of the 1940's. The film does a good job of sending out a message: Things may be very complicated and no matter how hard you try, you just won't understand them. "Forget it Jake, it's Chinatown." Nicholson was born for the part of Jake Gittes and he is beside Faye Dunaway, who is mostly famous for "Bonnie and Clyde."