Chinatown

Year: 1974

Grade: B+

Country: USA

Director: Polanski

Review

well-pitched mystery noir by roman polanski. generally i don’t really like his work because it’s too slow and often very highly (over)rated. here, though, nicholson and dunaway turn in good performances and help keep the film compelling when the story sags; which isn’t often. that said, the film does feel longer than the 2hr 10min running time. perhaps this is because there is so much that goes on, rather than it being boring. the last line “forget it jake, it’s chinatown,” is overrated. i should say more about this classic, but i don’t feel like it.