Chinatown

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Chinatown

R,

1974,

2h 11m,

Crime/

Drama

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Watchlist

Watchlist

98%

144 Reviews

Tomatometer

93%

50,000+ Ratings

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.

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

Jul 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.

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Charles Champlin

Los Angeles Times

Mar 8, 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.

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Penelope Gilliatt

The New Yorker

Mar 8, 2024

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

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

Jul 12, 2026

4/4

...a progressively enthralling piece of work that admittedly takes its time in wholeheartedly grabbing the viewer’s attention...

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Nov 2, 2025

4/4

An enduring masterpiece.

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Morgan Shaunette

Willamette Week

Aug 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.

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Luke G

Apr 23, 2019

This film is excruciatingly boring, and then suddenly nightmarish at the end. If it doesn't leave you feeling sick to your stomachs you are sick in the head.

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Harry S

Apr 18, 2019

Probably one of the greatest movies I have ever seen. If you enjoy neo-noir or movies in general- you will love this movie.

Theodore S

Mar 20, 2019

Flawless on all levels: script, acting, photography. Nicolson's performance is much praised, but it is Dunaway who gives the film (simultaneously) its heart, pathos, sadness & profound tragedy. NOT TO BE MISSED

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Hermione S

Feb 17, 2019

Ein unÃ 1/4bertroffenes Werk von roman Roman Polanski. Jack Nichilson und Faye Dunway haromineren grosartig, doch viel mehr Musik und Bildgewalt und das bedrÃ 1/4ckende Ende zeigen sich als die groÃen Argumente dieses Meisterwerkes

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Abraham R

Jan 22, 2019

Fora de sÃ (C)rie, tudo no filme Ã (C) impecÃ¡vel, desde a fotografia, passando pelas atuaÃ§Ãµes e pela histÃ³ria do filme e finalizando com a espetacular trilha sonora.

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Han S

Nov 23, 2018

This film has attained quite a reputation and rightly so- Chinatown is a slow moving film but it shouldn't deter you from seeing it. The screenplay by Robert Towne is considered the template for all screenplays and it is incredibly rich n everything a script should be. Polanski is a master so there's no point covering that bit and the way he executes each scene is amazing. Nicholson and Dunaway are awesome and make a great pair. The cinematography is amazing and Los Angeles 1930's never looked this good. This is a film that should be taught in film schools on how to make a great film.

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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

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Chinatown: Official Clip - My Sister, My Daughter

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Chinatown: Official Clip - A Respectable Man

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Chinatown: Official Clip - Capable of Anything

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Chinatown: Official Clip - Jake Likes His Nose

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Chinatown: Official Clip - Nosy Fella

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Chinatown: Official Clip - Evelyn's Last Stand

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Chinatown: Official Clip - Find the Girl

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Chinatown: Official Clip - Screwing Like a Chinaman

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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
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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