Chinatown (1974)

Release date: 1974-06-20
Country: USA
Language: English|Cantonese|Spanish
Director: Roman Polanski
Production Co: Paramount Pictures, Penthouse Video, Long Road Productions
Genre: Thriller, Drama, Mystery
Rating: 8.2/10
Length: 2h 10min

Storyline

In 1937 Los Angeles, private investigator Jake 'J.J.' Gittes specializes in cheating-spouse cases. His current target is Hollis Mulwray, high-profile chief engineer for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, whose wife suspects him of infidelity. In following Mulwray, Gittes witnesses some usual business dealings, such as a public meeting for construction of a new dam to create additional water supply for Los Angeles, as fresh water is vital to the growing community during the chronic drought; Mulwray opposes the dam. Eventually Gittes sees Mulwray meeting with an unknown young woman who isn't his wife. Once news of the supposed tryst between Mulwray and this woman hits the media, additional information comes to light that makes Gittes believe that Mulwray is being framed for something and that he himself is being set up. In his investigation of the issue behind Mulwray's framing and his own setup, Gittes is assisted by Mulwray's wife Evelyn, but he thinks she isn't being ...

Plot Keywords

neo noir, female nudity, murder, surveillance, femme fatale, adultery, incestuous relationship, private detective, corruption, domestic violence, 1930s, male nudity, husband wife relationship, extramarital affair, political corruption, investigation, rape, security guard, assumed identity, interrogation

Short Review

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.