Plain and simple: A Masterpiece

Rating: 10/10 (3 November 2000)

Every element works in this complex film-noir: director Polanski, screenwriter Towne, actors Nicholson, Dunaway, and Huston, cinematographer Alonzo, composer Goldsmith, and art director Sylbert. Every single element evokes the period and advances the plot and characterizations. Every role is perfectly cast. The story is extreme powerful, with many twists and turns. (I notice something new every time I watch this movie.) The pacing is slow at the beginning, but then gets absorbing. It's difficult to believe that this was Robert Evans' first try at independent producing - his third film, Black Sunday (1977), is another masterpiece.