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Review

Lacking the tension and chilling atmosphere of Roman Polanski's noirish classic Chinatown, this sequel directed by and starring Nicholson is fascinating and occasionally riveting. It's 1948, 11 years after the original. Private investigator Jake Gittes (Nicholson) is less ambitious, more portly, and content with mundane murder cases and rounds of golf. Problems arise when his client Jake Berman (Keitel) becomes involved in a murder. As the investigation ensues, Gittes finds himself face to face with his grisly past. Acting honors go to Keitel as Gittes' mysterious client. Nicholson demonstrates thoughtful competence as a director, but he sometimes bogs down in uninteresting side plots which lengthen the film.