Gordian knot

Rating: 10/10 (19 February 2005)

If ever a movie begged to be seen more than once, this is it. I liked it the first time I saw it, but didn't really grasp the twists of plot and character until my 3rd viewing. I've now seen it...maybe 30 times, and am still intrigued by the story. As a native of southern California I grew up knowing something about Mulholland the Water Baron, on whom I assume aspects of both Hollis Mulwray and Noah Cross were based, and this fictionalization imparts the intrigues and era extremely well. Polanski was fortunate that -- when filming Chinatown -- there were still authentic locations in existence; someone would be harder- pressed to simulate 1930's L.A. now. Chinatown clearly has aspects of genuine Film Noir, but as translated by Roman Polanski it's darker and, well, creepier than almost any such film. I strongly recommend Chinatown to any adult viewer.