Chinatown

This is not just a regular movie review but more of a reminder of what film noir can be, and cinema in general.

Chinatown (1974)
The first time I saw the movie, the word "memorandum" was unknown in Greece. And yet, despite my young age and minimal cinematic education, I really liked this film. I didn't quite understand why, apart from the fact that it had a very good plot.

Flash forward to today, when I rewatched this movie last weekend, in a semi-drowsy state and flirting heavily with burnout. Believing that I would relax further by watching the film to the point of falling asleep, the exact opposite happened: I woke up, stayed glued to the screen for the entire duration of the movie. I knew the ending very well and was eager to see what would happen next. I was anxious to see how Nicholson would manage to unravel the mystery, knowing what lay behind every corner and every scene.

I believe this is where the charm of this particular movie lies. Having more cinematic knowledge, I was able to enjoy every aspect of it tenfold, to recognize its scriptwriting brilliance, its incredible shots, and, of course, its memorable performances. However, I also realized that my love for noir began with this film, both in its cinematic and literary forms. The hero's quest to make sense of a deeply corrupt world, where every crime hides a multi-layered conspiracy within another multi-layered conspiracy.

Is there catharsis at the end? Not necessarily, but there is the reminder that you've just experienced an exciting two-hour journey. That is your reward.

If you've seen this movie, watch it again.
If you haven't seen it, do yourself a favor and discover the captivating power of cinematic noir.

That's all, have a good weekend.