Chinatown (1974)

Set in 1937 Southern California, an ex-cop turned private detective (Jack Nicholson) is hired by a woman (Diane Ladd) to investigate her husband's (Darrell Zwerling) extra marital affair. But when it turns out the woman was impersonating the real wife (Faye Dunaway), it's just the beginning of a complicated tale of political corruption, water rights, deceit, incest and murder. Directed by Roman Polanski (ROSEMARY'S BABY). Every once in awhile, all the elements of a film fall perfectly into place (screenplay, direction, acting, cinematography, art direction, music etc.) and an instant classic is born. Such was the case of CHINATOWN. When I saw its first run engagement in 1974, when it was over I knew I had just seen a great film that would stand the test of time. Now, almost 50 years later, it remains just that. One of the great films of the 1970s which many consider Hollywood's second "golden age". Polanski smartly insisted that screenwriter Robert Towne change the triumph of good over evil ending into something much darker and thank heavens he did. The downbeat ending seems organically inevitable considering all that preceded it. As great a film noir as THE MALTESE FALCON or DOUBLE INDEMNITY. With John Huston (whose chilling performance made my flesh crawl), Perry Lopez, John Hillerman, Burt Young, Joe Mantell and James Hong.