Chinatown
1974 · Roman Polanski · 131 min · Neo-Noir / Mystery / Thriller
Chinatown earns its reputation as one of the finest films of the 1970s and one of the best mysteries ever put on screen. Robert Towne's screenplay is a masterclass in plotting, and Jack Nicholson delivers one of his most controlled and compelling performances. The film's refusal to offer comfort or easy resolution will frustrate some viewers, but that darkness is exactly what gives it lasting power. Fifty years later, a story about powerful people manipulating public resources for private gain hasn't lost a single ounce of relevance.