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Chinatown

  • 19741974
  • RR
  • 2h 10m
IMDb RATING
8.2/10
320K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,016
106
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Chinatown (1974)
Theatrical Trailer from Paramount
Play trailer3:17
9 Videos
99+ Photos
  • Drama
  • Mystery
  • Thriller
A private detective hired to expose an adulterer in 1930s Los Angeles finds himself caught up in a web of deceit, corruption, and murder.A private detective hired to expose an adulterer in 1930s Los Angeles finds himself caught up in a web of deceit, corruption, and murder.A private detective hired to expose an adulterer in 1930s Los Angeles finds himself caught up in a web of deceit, corruption, and murder.
IMDb RATING
8.2/10
320K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,016
106
  • Director
    • Roman Polanski
  • Writers
    • Robert Towne
    • Roman Polanski(uncredited)
  • Stars
    • Jack Nicholson
    • Faye Dunaway
    • John Huston
Top credits
  • Director
    • Roman Polanski
  • Writers
    • Robert Towne
    • Roman Polanski(uncredited)
  • Stars
    • Jack Nicholson
    • Faye Dunaway
    • John Huston
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 597User reviews
    • 162Critic reviews
    • 92Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Top rated movie #156
    • Won 1 Oscar
      • 21 wins & 24 nominations total

    Videos9

    Chinatown
    Trailer 3:17
    Chinatown
    Trailer Breakdown: 'The Batman'
    Clip 3:43
    Trailer Breakdown: 'The Batman'
    Chinatown | Anniversary Mashup
    Clip 1:34
    Chinatown | Anniversary Mashup
    Chinatown
    Clip 0:57
    Chinatown
    Chinatown
    Clip 0:53
    Chinatown
    Chinatown
    Clip 0:49
    Chinatown
    Chinatown
    Clip 0:49
    Chinatown
    Chinatown
    Clip 0:45
    Chinatown
    Film Fight Club: New York vs. Los Angeles
    Video 0:51
    Film Fight Club: New York vs. Los Angeles

    Photos167

    Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway in Chinatown (1974)
    Jack Nicholson in Chinatown (1974)
    Robert Evans in Chinatown (1974)
    Jack Nicholson and Robert Evans in Chinatown (1974)
    Robert Evans in Chinatown (1974)
    Jack Nicholson and Robert Evans in Chinatown (1974)
    Jack Nicholson, Lee de Broux, and Perry Lopez in Chinatown (1974)
    Roy Jenson in Chinatown (1974)
    Jack Nicholson, Roman Polanski, and Roy Jenson in Chinatown (1974)
    Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway in Chinatown (1974)
    Faye Dunaway in Chinatown (1974)
    Jack Nicholson and John Huston in Chinatown (1974)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Jack Nicholson
    Jack Nicholson
    • J.J. Gittesas J.J. Gittes
    Faye Dunaway
    Faye Dunaway
    • Evelyn Mulwrayas Evelyn Mulwray
    John Huston
    John Huston
    • Noah Crossas Noah Cross
    Perry Lopez
    Perry Lopez
    • Escobaras Escobar
    John Hillerman
    John Hillerman
    • Yelburtonas Yelburton
    Darrell Zwerling
    Darrell Zwerling
    • Hollis Mulwrayas Hollis Mulwray
    Diane Ladd
    Diane Ladd
    • Ida Sessionsas Ida Sessions
    Roy Jenson
    Roy Jenson
    • Mulvihillas Mulvihill
    Roman Polanski
    Roman Polanski
    • Man with Knifeas Man with Knife
    Richard Bakalyan
    Richard Bakalyan
    • Loachas Loach
    • (as Dick Bakalyan)
    Joe Mantell
    Joe Mantell
    • Walshas Walsh
    Bruce Glover
    Bruce Glover
    • Duffyas Duffy
    Nandu Hinds
    Nandu Hinds
    • Sophieas Sophie
    James O'Rear
    • Lawyeras Lawyer
    • (as James O'Reare)
    James Hong
    James Hong
    • Evelyn's Butleras Evelyn's Butler
    Beulah Quo
    • Maidas Maid
    Jerry Fujikawa
    Jerry Fujikawa
    • Gardeneras Gardener
    Belinda Palmer
    Belinda Palmer
    • Katherineas Katherine
    • Director
      • Roman Polanski
    • Writers
      • Robert Towne
      • Roman Polanski(uncredited)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      At the time of filming, Jack Nicholson had just embarked on his longstanding relationship with Anjelica Huston. This made his scenes with her father, John Huston, rather uncomfortable, especially as the only time Anjelica was on set was the day they were filming the scene where Noah Cross interrogates Nicholson's character with "Mr. Gittes...do you sleep with my daughter?"
    • Goofs
      When Mrs. Mulwray drives away from the Coroner's office, a siren is heard in the background. The siren is a modern electronic one. In the 1930s, they only had mechanical sirens, which have a different sound.
    • Quotes

      [last lines]

      Walsh: Forget it, Jake. It's Chinatown.

    • Crazy credits
      The film opens with the 1940's Paramount logo.
    • Alternate versions
      TV versions omit the "screwing like a chinaman" joke told by Jake.
    • Connections
      Edited into The Two Jakes (1990)
    • Soundtracks
      I Can't Get Started
      Ira Gershwin and Vernon Duke

      As Recorded by Bunny Berigan and His Orchestra

      (Courtesy of RCA Records)

    User reviews597

    Review
    Top review
    9/10
    Example of Masterful Film Noir!
    Over the years, people have called Chinatown one of the best movies ever. I don't quite agree with that statement, but there is no denying that the movie is a masterpiece. I may not find it one of the best films all-time, but I do find it as one of the best films of 1974. This noir film hearkens back to the days where similar films were produced left and right. But starting from the 1960's, this genre slowly began to fade away. The film may come across as really taking its time to tell the story, but the thriller has lots of tension that builds up to its climatic ending. This film brought public awareness to some issues people may not have really known about. Water is a commodity for human survival and whoever controls the water, controls the money. This movie is a complex series of events surrounding the control of water and that people can die over this issue. Ah, the wonders of being a human being! The movie is a complicated follow, so don't lose yourself in any train of thought, or you might lose what will happen plot-wise. Boasting one of cinema's all-time greatest screenplays by Robert Towne and a powerful lead performance by Jack Nicholson, you are in for a fantastic time.

    As I mentioned briefly, the film's plot can be complex as the film will turn down a completely different path in a heartbeat. Jake Gittes (Jack Nicholson) is a private investigator who specializes in matrimonial affairs. One day, he gets a visit from a woman claiming to be Evelyn Mulwray. She tells Jake that her husband is cheating on her and she would like Jake to investigate her claims. He does his job by taking photographs of him and he catches him with another woman. That ensues a scandal and Gittes is confronted by the real Evelyn Mulwray (Faye Dunaway). When the husband shows up dead, Gittes is led deeper and deeper in a web of deceit, lies, and murder.

    This movie is given its voice by a variety of elements such as Robert Towne's fantastic screenplay or Roman Polanksi's visionary directing style. But let's not forget about the wonderful performances including the tour de force performance by screen legend, Jack Nicholson. Nicholson's performance is nothing short of excellent as he portrays Jake Gittes. I loved how the movie gave in-depth characterization to this character. Gittes may not be the nicest man in the world, but he's a man of honor and honesty. The movie is all about lies and that forms a rather bleak mental state for Gittes. All we wants to do is find the truth and move on, but that seems impossible to do with all the lies and murder. Nicholson was nominated for an Oscar for his performance, and some might say he should have won. Who can forget that scene at the river bed where he is slashed in the nose by this random creep. Faye Dunaway also delivers an amazing performance. On the outside her character makes you believe she is good, but she has some fishy motives about her. Gittes falls in love with her, but he can't take her sneaky lies. Then we have the performance of John Huston, the legendary director who plays Evelyn's father. His character, Noah Cross is the antagonist of the film one would say as he wants to use his wealth to control the water. That dinner scene between Noah and Jake is quite something. Noah and his mean, beady eyes are put to good use.

    This film was directed by Roman Polanski, before he was extradited to Europe and could only make films there. This movie has him returning back to the director's chair, only a few years after the brutal murder of his wife and unborn child. I loved his sense of direction and he really captured the noir feeling you would find in the films of the 1940's. His conflict with the screenwriter Robert Towne became somewhat famous. Towne had the film end with a happy ending, but Polanksi went against that. The ending is not a happy one as we get some unfortunate deaths from the wrong people, but it was an effective ending nonetheless. No matter what, Robert Towne written one of the best screenplays of all time and that will endure for many, many years into our future.

    Even though Chinatown is a fictional movie, it's based of the Los Angeles water grab of 1908. This is a city that formed in a desert and it should be impossible for water to exist, which makes the control of the water ever more so fundamental. Towne did a great job adding his own 1930's spin to the story. This movie is undeniably a great film. The pace crawls at times, but the content of the story kept me captivated. This is not an action thriller, but it's one of those slow-burn thrillers focused on telling a top-rate story. The film fires on all cylinders because of it's wonderful acting and solid direction. But we also have a great but sad, trumpet-infused score from Jerry Goldsmith and cinematography from John A. Alonzo that captures the L.A of old in a very effective way. Let's not forget about the award-winning screenplay from Robert Towne. Nominated for 11 Oscars, this film is worth a watch. This is a fantastic thriller that relies upon excellent storytelling.

    My Grade: A-
    helpful•15
    3
    • gab-14712
    • Oct 18, 2017

    FAQ13

    • Evelyn Mulray's middle initial was C, which she said stands for Cross since she Noah Cross's daughter. Am I to understand then that her full maiden name was Evelyn Cross Cross?
    • Is "Chinatown" based on a book?
    • What is the meaning of "Chinatown" and the last lines of the movie?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 20, 1974 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Cantonese
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Kitajska četrt
    • Filming locations
      • Spring Street, Chinatown, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Paramount Pictures
      • Penthouse Video
      • Long Road Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $6,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $29,200,000
    • Gross worldwide
      • $29,225,935
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 10 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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