Chinatown

R

Released Jun 20, 1974

2h 11m

Crime

Drama

List

98%

Tomatometer

146 Reviews

93%

Audience Score

50,000+ Ratings

When Los Angeles private eye J.J. "Jake" Gittes (Jack Nicholson) is hired by Evelyn Mulwray to investigate her husband's activities, he believes it's a routine infidelity case. Jake's investigation soon becomes anything but routine when he meets the real Mrs. Mulwray (Faye Dunaway) and realizes he was hired by an imposter. Mr. Mulwray's sudden death sets Gittes on a tangled trail of corruption, deceit and sinister family secrets as Evelyn's father (John Huston) becomes a suspect in the case.

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Critics Consensus

As bruised and cynical as the decade that produced it, this noir classic benefits from Robert Towne's brilliant screenplay, director Roman Polanski's steady hand, and wonderful performances from Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway.

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Adam Kempenaar

Filmspotting

Among its myriad alluring – and lurid – contradictions, Chinatown is overtly stylish yet understated, depicting inveterate moral decay and corruption so matter-of-factly that Huston’s emphatic refusal to accept any blame... makes your skin crawl.

Rated: 5/5

Jul 12, 2024

Full Review

Charles Champlin

Los Angeles Times

In its total recapturing of a past, in its plot, its vivid characterizations, its carefully calculated and accelerating pace, its whole demonstration of a medium mastered, Chinatown reminds you again that motion pictures are larger, not smaller than life.

Mar 8, 2024

Full Review

Penelope Gilliatt

New Yorker

The film, set in the thirties, from a script by Robert Towne, is wickedly skillful, funny, and socially alert.

Mar 8, 2024

Full Review

Adrian Turner

Radio Times

The result was acrimony behind the scenes and genius on the screen in a masterpiece that repays any number of viewings.

Rated: 5/5

Jul 1, 2024

Full Review

Stephen Silver

The SS Ben Hecht

One of the greatest movies of the 20th century was Roman Polanski’s 1974 film noir with the darkest twist imaginable (50th anniversary)

Rated: 5/5

Jun 27, 2024

Full Review

Allison Rose

FlickDirect

The cast of Chinatown is well chosen and Nicholson has the right amount of “swagger” and confidence to pull off the cocky private eye.

Rated: 4.5/5

Jun 19, 2024

Full Review

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To F

Que buena película de suspenso y misterio. Buen crimen y buenas actuaciones. Que deleite de un buen guión en todo aspecto.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/23/24

Full Review

Chris D

I don't know what more can be said about this film, that hasn't already been written. The one great neo-noir of American cinema, and a poison pen letter to Los Angeles (when Pauline Kael said the film's tone suggests Polanski treats the film's depiction of LA as a "celebration of rot" -- she wasn't wrong!). A great mystery and also a great allegory for 20th century American corruption, in one fascinating package. Nicholson has perhaps never given a better performance, and Faye Dunaway's work is remarkably able to hold up to repeat viewings (the layers she adds to Evelyn Mulwray's deceptions and vulnerability are fascinating to watch and analyze; it's a rare performance that gets better the more times you see it, rather than the other way around). A classic.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/15/24

Full Review

Helena J

One of the best films ever. This neo noir is fantastic.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/20/24

Full Review

Audience Member

One of the all time classics

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/25/24

Full Review

Ken C

As close to perfect as a film can get.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/24/24

Full Review

Cfunk D

This movie is so lame and boring. Stupid story with nasty family intercourse and a water story that never happened.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

05/06/24

Full Review

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Roman Polanski

Director

Jack Nicholson

J. J. (Jake) Gittes

Faye Dunaway

Evelyn Cross Mulwray

John Huston

Noah Cross

Perry Lopez

Lt. Lou Escobar

John Hillerman

Russ Yelburton

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Chinatown: Official Clip - It's Chinatown

1:14

Chinatown: Official Clip - My Sister, My Daughter

2:12

Chinatown: Official Clip - A Respectable Man

2:12

Chinatown: Official Clip - Capable of Anything

1:23

Chinatown: Official Clip - Jake Likes His Nose

1:01

Chinatown: Official Clip - Nosy Fella

0:43

Chinatown: Official Clip - Evelyn's Last Stand

2:12

Chinatown: Official Clip - Find the Girl

1:53

Chinatown: Official Clip - Screwing Like a Chinaman

1:27

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Synopsis

When Los Angeles private eye J.J. "Jake" Gittes (Jack Nicholson) is hired by Evelyn Mulwray to investigate her husband's activities, he believes it's a routine infidelity case. Jake's investigation soon becomes anything but routine when he meets the real Mrs. Mulwray (Faye Dunaway) and realizes he was hired by an imposter. Mr. Mulwray's sudden death sets Gittes on a tangled trail of corruption, deceit and sinister family secrets as Evelyn's father (John Huston) becomes a suspect in the case.

Director: Roman Polanski
Producer: Robert Evans
Screenwriter: Robert Towne, Roman Polanski
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 20, 1974, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 1, 2013
Runtime: 2h 11m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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