Chinatown

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Tom F A perfect screenplay, a masterclass in acting, and a troubling piece of Roman Polanski’s difficult legacy. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 09/05/25 Full Review Kyle C Led by an endlessly charming performance from Jack Nicholson, Chinatown is not just a movie, it’s a mood. It effortlessly captures the 1930s detective noir atmosphere with striking costumes, detailed set design, and a delicate score. But it’s the script that makes this film exceptional. Every scene, every line, every word feels thoughtful, intentional, and precise. My only real issues come from a few out-of-character moments for Gittes. A romantic kiss appears out of nowhere, feeling unearned and unnatural. Later, in a crucial scene, he repeatedly slaps a woman who has only ever been portrayed as a victim. Even for a slimy-but-honest private investigator, this crosses a line, feeling more like a flaw in the writing than in the man himself. Still, Chinatown endures because of its devastating themes: the futility of fighting corruption, the way good intentions curdle into greater harm, and the crushing realization that the system always wins. Its bleak finale was poignant in 1974 and feels even more acute today. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 08/25/25 Full Review Rami A With its tremendous screenplay, glorious cinematography, superb acting, and winsome writing, it's nearly impossible to call Roman Polanski's "Chinatown" a bad movie. It does what few movies do. It's a movie that can be watched over and over again without feeling repetitive, because you can pick up new things with each watch. Plus, who could possibly get bored with Jack Nicholson? Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/23/25 Full Review Steve W Quite a good mystery movie however the ending can put some viewers feeling underwhelmed. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 08/21/25 Full Review William B What a masterpiece. One of the best mystery movies I've ever watched. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/17/25 Full Review Mirocko B Has a high rating because nobody has actually watched it all the way through in twenty years and they're rating it based on memory and reputation. Not as good as you think it is, or people say it should be. It's okay. I guess. If you're into film history then haha, you gotta watch it once. Sucks to be you. Hope you have some Quaaludes and sudoku handy. Or seppuku. Felt pretty ripped off when it was all said and done. Not the Hollywood darling Oscar winning trophy wife it gets portrayed as. It's not a slow burn. It's just long and boring. Bland, banal, predictable, and heavily over-acted at every chance. By the end you want everyone you've seen for the last hour to please, just please go away and never come back. I hate you all. Perhaps the most boring crime mystery I've seen. And I watch a lot of garbage. It is what it is. Oscar winning, Over-rated, Outdated, and Outclassed. Hit the road Jack. Thankfully you went on to make much, much better films. Some of the best. Rated 2.5/5 Stars •  Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 08/12/25 Full Review Read all reviews

Chinatown

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