A Film That I Admire But Don't Love!

Rating: Null/10 (9 September 2013)

A classic example of its genre(s) that packs in a taut screenplay which is transitioned on the film canvas in a seamless manner by a skilled filmmaker in complete control of his craft and is further bolstered by strong performances from its entire cast, Chinatown is considered by many to be one of the best offerings in the mystery genre and it is indeed difficult to dispute its legacy.
Inspired from true events, the story of Chinatown is set in Los Angeles and follows a private detective specialising in matrimonial cases who's hired by a woman to investigate & confirm her suspicion of her husband having an affair but soon finds himself caught in a bigger web when the client turns out to be an impersonator. As he digs deeper into the case to find out who set him up, he uncovers a plot involving deceit, corruption & murder.
Directed by Roman Polanski (best known for Rosemary's Baby & The Pianist), Chinatown is expertly crafted with thorough attention given to its setting & timeline, and the story unfolds in a controlled manner. Robert Town's script is a highlight too that's completely focused on its lead character without discarding the secondary ones. The technical aspects are skilfully carried out while Jerry Goldsmith's score is beautiful, poignant & haunting at the same time.
The cast comprises of Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway, John Hillerman & others, with all of them turning in a committed performance in their given roles. Nicholson is excellent as the private investigator, plays his character with finesse, and is present in virtually every single scene. Dunaway also puts up a strong show that goes neck to neck with Nicholson's work. But the film is at its best when the screen is shared by Nicholson & Dunaway for their spot- on chemistry just works.
On an overall scale, Chinatown doesn't seem to do much wrong with its narrative over the course of its runtime and yet I have no clue to why it didn't work out for me. Polanski's no- nonsense direction, Towne's polished screenplay & Nicholson's brilliant work are no doubt admirable but the whole experience of sitting through it was pretty stale, even in moments of big reveal including the soul-shattering climax. One of those films that I admire but feel no love for it, Chinatown is still full of surprises for newcomers and is highly recommended.