Chinatown: Review By SCREENWRITER

"Chinatown" would be one of the few films in cinema that I consider perfect. I've seen it so many times and each time I watch it I still never find anything wrong with it. The film grasps an absolute perfect synthesis of acting, cinematography, writing, editing, story, atmosphere, and music. This is a film that makes the film-noir genre, and if you haven't yet seen this wonderful masterpiece, then you sir are missing out on quite a lot.

The movie focuses on private investigator J.J. Gittes following around a man named Mulwray, whose wife believes he is cheating on her. After taking photos for the truth, they make their way to the newspaper, getting Gittes a bad reputation. Unknowingly become a pawn in a smear game, Gittes discovers it wasn't Mulwray's wife who hired him in the first place and when Mulwray shows up dead, Gittes finds himself involved in one of the most interesting cases of his career that he can't stay away from even if it means risking his life. The story hear, like an Mystery film, offers plenty of twists and turns to catch the eyes of the viewer, and it in fact, is done marvellously.

Even though the film may be entitled "Chinatown", it actually has very little to do with the Chinse-American quarter of Los Angeles. The reason the film has the name is because Gittes is a former officer from Chinatown.

Director Roman Polanski and screenwriter Robert Towne have intended this film as a homage to Film-noir, but there are some differences from the usual type. Instead of being filmed in black and white, "Chinatown" comes in full colour. Polanski, even though using the genre in colour, brings the Film-noir look to a whole new level with beauteous shots of 1930's LA and fantastic views of the city. Towne's script, as mysterious as the genre can get, presents a devious little story that'll keep you entertained all the way to the shocking conclusion.

Classic Film-noir films were often filmed very dark and moody being filmed mostly at night. With "Chinatown" it's the complete opposite where most of the film takes place during the day in sunny-hot LA. The literal translation of "Film-noir" is of course, "black film". This movie, however, is set-up with light text but very dark morally. The plot takes in not only financial corruption but also murder and insect as well. The moral darkness that lies at the heart of "Chinatown" isn't shown in darkness but is presented thoughtfully, if that makes any sense.

Jack Nicholson, being my favorite actor of the 1970's for classic-films like "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" and "Five Easy Pieces", and of course this. His character Gittes is one of the best screened performances by him. His awkward character seeing that justice should be done right is memorizing. Gittes would have to be one of my most favorite characters in movie cinema, not just because he's a fantastic private eye but because of his appearance. He may look like just a suit and tie from the poster but the character has a bandage covered over his slit nose for most of the film that shows the true grit behind his character. While Fay Dunaway gives an excellent performance as the wife of Mulwray, the best performance from the film comes from John Hutson, more known for a director than actor. Hutson plays Noah Cross, the father of Mulwray's wife and one of the main villains of the film. Though Cross seems like a sinister man, his character stays calm and civilized..which makes him all the more dangerous. It's a real shame that out of the eleven Academy Awards this film was up for Hutson wasn't nominated for Best Supporting Actor. I would have liked that.

With a fantastic script, beautiful direction, rock-solid performances, and a excellent pace, "Chinatown" stands as one of my most treasured films of all time. Nowadays, the genre "Film-noir" may seem distant but it's the classics like these that keep em' alive today. If you haven't yet seen "Chinatown" you best get on it because its one of the greatest mystery-films to date.

Thanks for the read!

-Screeny