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Chinatown

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Chinatown

R

Released Jun 20, 1974

2h 11m

Crime

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

98%

Tomatometer

143 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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

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

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Jamie K

The End is so suprising and good. It's a Classic. And was verry well. Have fun by watching the movie!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/29/25

Full Review

Audience Member

I'm not a fan of it... anyways, a nice one time watch

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/05/25

Full Review

Yang Y

A movie that is ass in quality

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

05/03/25

Full Review

thiago s

Filme bacaninha, o roteiro é mais ou menos, as cenas são bacaninhas, mas a maioria das cenas são meio desinteressantes, a história é bacaninha, o elenco é mais ou menos, e alguns ajudam a melhorar o filme, os personagens são bacaninhas, o filme ainda teve um drama bom nas cenas e o final foi bacaninha, mas o jeito que foi feito é estranho, como o velho tomar um Tiro no braço e não sentir quase nada, os policiais ficarem parados e reagirem ao tudo isso todo nada, como o policial ficou olhando tudo, e do nada puxou a matou a mulher que ia embora, e ainda ele atirou que nem ia na direção do carro direito, e acabou o filme com a frase a clássica " esquece jace, é chinatown " o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, mas pelo menos contou com uma atuação excelente do Jack nicholson, com tudo isso, eu recomendo esse filme.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

04/06/25

Full Review

Pamela F

My husband and I watched it last night. I had to talk him into it. He said he’d already seen it. So had I - 50 years ago. When I said that. He quit protesting. We both thoroughly enjoyed it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/29/25

Full Review

Tay L

This is a masterclass in filmmaking and is one of the greatest movies of all time. It features a private detective, disillusioned with the corruption of organized institutions, pervasive injustice, and the role greed plays in society, trying to expose evil and bring good into the world in whatever way he can. The suspense is constantly building up from the first scene to the last. Every scene seems important and leaves you captivated. Excellent storytelling, excellent acting, and an excellent film. You dont want to miss it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/04/25

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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