The Beauty of Human Mystery

Rating: 10/10 (12 February 2005)

Life is a mystery, and within that mystery are mysteries of their own. Chinatown is the mystery film of all mystery films, and J.J. Gittes nearly outdoes Sherlock Holmes himself. Yet the mysteriousness that is contained in every waking moment and in every human being is also explored in Chinatown.
Chinatown tells the story of Private Investigator J.J. Gittes, who does dirty work for husbands, wives, boyfriends, and girlfriends to find out for them if their significant other is involved romantically with somebody on the side. A woman comes into Mr. Gittes' office and asks him to investigate her husband, who is named Hollis Mulwray. Mr. Mulwray just happens to be a man with a very important position in the city of San Francisco.
Mr. Gittes' investigation takes twists and turns, and each one causes the viewer to yearn for more action and mystery. Yet the investigation means nothing without Gittes, who is played quite brilliantly by Jack Nicholson. It is Gittes who seems to be more of a mystery than that which he is trying to solve (even though that which he investigates is captivating indeed), and Polanski's exploration of the human mystery is breath-taking and thought-provoking. Speaking of Polanski, his direction is wonderful, creative, and eye-catching, but not flashy to the point of distraction.
The screenplay is very smart as well, and it takes ahold one's attention and attaches it to the story and characters at hand while including enigmatic elements. Further, what I have failed to mention is that the film takes place not in the 1970s, but in the 1920s or 1930s. Roman Polanski's score, the design of the credits, and the accurate set and costume design fit perfectly into that era.
The only problem with this film is some acting difficulty on the part of the supporting actors, but these problems are merely a mote of dust on the beautiful waters of Chinatown. THIS IS A MUST-SEE.
Final Grade: A.