Chinatown

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Chinatown

R

1974

2h 11m

Crime

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

98%

Tomatometer

144 Reviews

93%

Popcornmeter

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

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Penelope Gilliatt

The New Yorker

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

Mar 8, 2024

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

An enduring masterpiece.

Rated: 4/4

Nov 2, 2025

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Morgan Shaunette

Willamette Week

Feelings of pessimism, powerlessness and futility in the face of overwhelming odds lie at the film noir genre’s core. Chinatown boasts these in spades.

Aug 12, 2025

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Martin Carr

martincarr.co.uk

Chinatown hits 50 this year and this Jack Nicholson film noir has lost none of its potency. Featuring the legendary John Huston alongside Faye Dunaway, this Oscar winning story from Robert Towne is still essential viewing.

Jul 29, 2024

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Jack

Greatest noir ever filmed

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/30/25

Full Review

Michael

51 years on still one of the most arresting American films ever made. Its a masterpiece.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/30/25

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Jack F

Everyone's heard of Chinatown. It's a good movie if you like mystery and suspense. Great performances. A little long, and confusing though. Cool music.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/28/25

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Audience Member

A very good movie that spirals into a head on crash at the end, inexplicably, I didn't like how it was a murder mystery- and than Polanski bombs you with a bunch of weird stuff right at the end?! Is a cop really going to shoot at a car with a woman driving, and her daughter in the passenger seat, at night with other bystanders around? NO! Love how the cop completely ignores Jakes cries of murder as if he was crazy too. I love Jack and Faye and I DO love the movie- but to be so blinded by the elements in it that don't ring true is not being much of a critic. I'm keeping it for my collection, of course, but I think it's over rated by most.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/15/25

Full Review

Andy B

A very good film which does seem a little dated in parts, but for the most part holds up pretty well. The acting and directing are great though, and there are some surprisingly bleak twists.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/23/25

Full Review

wendy n

I just watched Chinatown again last night after almost 50 years. The themes of corruption and the power of water rights are so relevant now. I loved Jack Nicholson at his sly wisecracking best, the bottled up fear and tension of Faye Dunaway's character, and John Huston's effortless evil. Even though I was prepared for Roman Polanski's knife attack, it still made me cringe. The acting, direction, and multilayered story still make for a timeless, great movie. Watch it again---or if you haven't seen it yet, don't miss it!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/23/25

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

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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