Chinatown

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Chinatown

R

Released Jun 20, 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

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

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

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

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Steve W

Quite a good mystery movie however the ending can put some viewers feeling underwhelmed.

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 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 out of 5 stars

08/12/25

Full Review

Logan E

Perfect film noir, and surprisingly funny at times. You feel like you are solving the mystery right alongside Mr. Grittes. Every detail is important, and nothing is too spelled out for the audience. I'd like to rewatch it to see if I missed anything.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/07/25

Full Review

Stoner J

Fantastic noir flick. Most early 70s movies I’ve seen seem to be filmed and produced strangely making it hard to follow and annoy but Chinatown, despite a complicated plot, is great

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

06/29/25

Full Review

Stephen C

Successful crime-drama movie in 2 hours and 11 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Starring Jack Nicholson!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/06/25

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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