Chinatown

Chinatown, a film noir, is set in 1930s Los Angeles. JJ Gittes is hired by a woman who needs him to investigate her husband's whereabouts. She doesn't reveal all aspects of her afflictions, which leads Gittes to uncover a multi-faceted conspiracy involving water management, and state corruption.

The movie doesn't have special effects; in fact, the plot is so thick with complicated logic, there isn't time for special effects. The movie works as dark and mysterious who-dun-it.

The director Roman Polanski does a great job keeping the movie stylistically simple. Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway do a fantastic job molding the characters, and creating intensity when the characters evolve from inquisitive to romance; and from romance to betrayal.

If you liked classic private-eye movies...you've got to see this one!