Overrated but classy.

"You're dumber than you think I think you are."

This Roman Polanski effort is a true classic movie; Chinatown is an excellent, stylish, fascinating and gripping thriller that is based on the novel by Robert Towne.

Cleverly, the film has been made in a very 1940's style - the acting, the score, even the credits. Suffice to say, the plot is a lot more complex than anything one would have seen in a movie released during the 40s.

There isn't much I can reveal about the plot without the spoiling the whole thing, but I will try to write a brief outline. Jake Gittes (Nicholson) is a former policeman from Chinatown who is now a highly successful private investigator. A woman comes to him with a suspected case of marriage infidelity. While this seems like a very open-and-shut case of simple surveillance, Jake gets himself mixed up in one massive mystery that he struggles to uncover.

In tradition with many films of this style, the certain style is what makes it so brilliant. And the screenplay is what makes the movie work. That, and the actors.

Without work from Nicholson or Dunaway the film would have sunk without a trace. Jack Nicholson is absolutely exceptional here. His performance is just spot on, and displays such depth. Likewise with Faye Dunaway whose performance is just sublime.

And Polanski's direction...well, despite his personal life being a mess and being a wanted fugitive, he is one damn fine director! He crafted this stylish cinema noir exceptionally well.

Certainly I think the film is a tad overrated and the ruckus may be a bit hyperbolic, but nevertheless I found Chinatown to be a true classic. Driven by a fascinating screenplay and great performances, this is one not to miss!

8/10