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Chinatown

Play trailer Poster for Chinatown R 1974 2h 11m Crime Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 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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Chinatown

Chinatown

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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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Critics Reviews

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Adam Kempenaar Filmspotting 07/12/2024
5/5
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. Go to Full Review Charles Champlin Los Angeles Times 03/08/2024
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. Go to Full Review Penelope Gilliatt The New Yorker 03/08/2024
The film, set in the thirties, from a script by Robert Towne, is wickedly skillful, funny, and socially alert. Go to Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews Jul 12
4/4
...a progressively enthralling piece of work that admittedly takes its time in wholeheartedly grabbing the viewer’s attention... Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Nov 2
4/4
An enduring masterpiece. Go to Full Review Morgan Shaunette Willamette Week 08/12/2025
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. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Jack Sep 30 Greatest noir ever filmed See more Michael Sep 30 51 years on still one of the most arresting American films ever made. Its a masterpiece. See more Will L @Will05 Jul 16 Although I love noir and Chinatown is supposed to be the crown jewel of film noir, this wasn't my favorite. It's still an incredible movie and I'm sure there's something deep I'm missing. See more Michael R @Michael2003 Jun 28 A beautiful film with a heartbreaking ending. The acting, direction, story, and mystery are all outstanding. The twist completely caught me off guard, and the ending is devastating. It's rare to see a film where the villain truly wins. Brilliant. See more Ed S @jamesonbueno May 2 From beginning to end, a breathtakingly beautiful film. See more Ronnie M @spuncake Mar 28 I can't say enough about Chinatown...Powerful cast and great script. Roman Polanski hit a homerun with this one. See more Read all reviews
Chinatown

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Cast & Crew

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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

Movie Clips

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Chinatown

Chinatown: Official Clip - It's Chinatown Chinatown: Official Clip - It's Chinatown 1:14 Chinatown: Official Clip - My Sister, My Daughter Chinatown: Official Clip - My Sister, My Daughter 2:12 Chinatown: Official Clip - A Respectable Man Chinatown: Official Clip - A Respectable Man 2:12 Chinatown: Official Clip - Capable of Anything Chinatown: Official Clip - Capable of Anything 1:23 Chinatown: Official Clip - Jake Likes His Nose Chinatown: Official Clip - Jake Likes His Nose 1:01 Chinatown: Official Clip - Nosy Fella Chinatown: Official Clip - Nosy Fella 0:43 Chinatown: Official Clip - Evelyn's Last Stand Chinatown: Official Clip - Evelyn's Last Stand 2:12 Chinatown: Official Clip - Find the Girl Chinatown: Official Clip - Find the Girl 1:53 Chinatown: Official Clip - Screwing Like a Chinaman Chinatown: Official Clip - Screwing Like a Chinaman 1:27 View more videos

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Chinatown

Chinatown (1974) Chinatown (1974) Chinatown (1974) Chinatown (1974) Chinatown (1974) View more photos

Movie Info

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
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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