Chinatown is a 1974 American neo-noir mystery drama film directed by Roman Polanski from a screenplay by Robert Towne, starring Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway. The film is set in 1937 Los Angeles and follows private detective JJ 'Jake' Gittes, who specializes in matrimonial/cheating spouse cases. When he is hired by Evelyn Mulwray to investigate her husband Hollis, a high-profile engineer, he produces photographs of him with a young girl. However, he soon stumbles onto something much bigger, including the possibility of murder and the financial benefits of gentrification.
The film is known for its suspenseful plot, well-crafted twists and turns, and excellent performances by the cast, particularly Jack Nicholson. It has been praised as a masterpiece of mystery and intrigue, with a narrative that maintains a sense of secrecy and mistrust. The film's themes include corruption, greed, and the abuse of power, particularly in relation to the California water wars of the early 20th century.
Chinatown has been widely regarded as one of the greatest films of all time and has won numerous awards and accolades. It has been described as a classic among film noir stories and has been praised for its attention to detail and measured pace. The film's ending has been noted for its flurry of revelations and redefined relationships, as well as its commentary on the city's future.
As of October 2023, Chinatown is available to stream on various platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, and Paramount Plus.
Trailer
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Cast
- Jack Nicholson as J.J. "Jake" Gittes
- Faye Dunaway as Evelyn Cross Mulwray
- John Huston as Noah Cross
- Perry Lopez as Detective Lieutenant Lou Escobar
- John Hillerman as Russ Yelburton
- Darrell Zwerling as Hollis I. Mulwray
- Diane Ladd as Ida Sessions
- Roy Jenson as Claude Mulvihill
- Roman Polanski as Man with Knife
Jack Nicholson's performance as Jake Gittes is particularly noteworthy, as is Faye Dunaway's portrayal of Evelyn Mulwray. John Huston's performance as Noah Cross has also been praised for its villainous and menacing quality. The film's supporting cast is also notable for their performances, including Perry Lopez as Detective Lieutenant Lou Escobar and John Hillerman as Russ Yelburton.
Original Language: English
Director: Roman Polanski
Producer: Robert Evans
Writer: Robert Towne, Roman Polanski
Box Office Gross: $29,226,502
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 20, 1974
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 1, 2013
