Chinatown Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A detective gets a nose job and discovers that the real estate market is more incestuous than he thought.

🍿 Chinatown: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Seemingly Simple Case

In 1937 Los Angeles, private investigator Jake Gittes specializes in divorce cases. He’s hired by a woman claiming to be Evelyn Mulwray to investigate her husband, Hollis Mulwray, the chief engineer of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. Gittes takes photos of Mulwray with a young woman, which are published in the newspaper, causing a scandal.

Unraveling the Conspiracy

Gittes is then confronted by the real Evelyn Mulwray, who threatens to sue him. Soon after, Hollis Mulwray is found dead, seemingly drowned. Intrigued and suspicious, Gittes investigates further, uncovering a complex conspiracy involving water rights, land grabs, and corruption. He discovers that someone is deliberately wasting water during a drought, driving farmers out of business.

Family Secrets and Hidden Agendas

Gittes’ investigation leads him to Noah Cross, Evelyn’s wealthy and powerful father, and uncovers a past business partnership between Cross and Mulwray. As Gittes digs deeper, he discovers shocking secrets about Evelyn’s family and the true nature of the water conspiracy, putting himself in grave danger. The identity of the young woman Mulwray was seen with becomes increasingly important.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• J.J. Gittes (Jack Nicholson): A private investigator in 1930s Los Angeles who uncovers a complex web of corruption and deceit while investigating an apparent adultery case.
• Evelyn Mulwray (Faye Dunaway): The enigmatic and alluring wife of Hollis Mulwray, who hires Gittes and harbors dark secrets related to her family and Los Angeles’ water supply.
• Noah Cross (John Huston): Evelyn’s powerful and sinister father, deeply involved in the water conspiracy and driven by greed and control.
• Hollis Mulwray (Darrell Zwerling): The Chief Engineer for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power whose opposition to a new dam leads to his murder.
• Escobar (Perry Lopez): A police lieutenant who investigates the murder of Hollis Mulwray and becomes increasingly suspicious of Gittes.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• J.J. Gittes: “Forget it, Jake, it’s Chinatown.” – The film’s iconic closing line, representing the futility of justice and the pervasive corruption.
• Evelyn Mulwray: “You really don’t know very much, do you, Mr. Gittes?” – Said to Gittes, highlighting his naivety and the depth of the secrets surrounding him.
• Noah Cross: “Most people never have to face the fact that at heart they’re corrupt.” – Cross’s chilling line reveals his twisted philosophy and the corruption at the heart of the story.
• J.J. Gittes: “I make a good living. I’m my own boss. I’m damn good company. What’s better than that?” – Gittes’ attempt to define himself and his contentment, which is gradually undermined throughout the film.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $6,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $29,200,000
• Worldwide Gross: $29,231,954

💥 Chinatown Reviews

Personal Review

I watched Chinatown recently and was blown away. It is a near-perfect film noir, with Jack Nicholson giving one of his best performances. The story grabbed me from the start, and the ending left me speechless. I found myself thinking about the movie for days, especially Faye Dunaway’s portrayal of Evelyn Mulwray. It is a dark, disturbing, and beautiful movie that everyone should experience at least once.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic film noir”
  • “Viewers interested in historical mysteries”
  • “Those who appreciate complex, character-driven stories”
  • “Adults seeking thought-provoking and morally ambiguous themes”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Brief nudity”
  • “Implied incest/sexual assault”
  • “Strong language”

Professional Reviews

• Roger Ebert: “Chinatown is not just a detective story, but a psychological drama exploring themes of corruption and personal responsibility. Nicholson’s performance is masterful, and the film’s intricate plot and stunning visuals make it a must-see for any serious film fan.
• The New York Times: “Polanski creates a haunting and unforgettable vision of 1930s Los Angeles, using the film noir genre to explore the city’s dark underbelly. The performances are pitch-perfect, and the script is a masterpiece of suspense and intrigue.
• Variety: “A brooding thriller that perfectly encapsulates the paranoia and moral ambiguity of the film noir genre. Nicholson and Dunaway deliver powerhouse performances, and Polanski’s direction is both stylish and deeply unsettling.

Audience Reactions

Nicholson’s performance is iconic and captivating.: Viewers consistently praise the intricate plot, stunning visuals, and top-notch acting.

The ending is a gut-wrenching and unforgettable.: Many appreciate the film’s ability to subvert expectations and deliver a truly dark and tragic conclusion.

Overall Consensus: Chinatown is widely regarded as a classic of the film noir genre, praised for its complex plot, outstanding performances, and haunting atmosphere.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Original Screenplay)- 1975
2. Golden Globe Award (Best Motion Picture – Drama)- 1975
3. Golden Globe Award (Best Director)- 1975
4. Golden Globe Award (Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama)- 1975
5. Golden Globe Award (Best Screenplay)- 1975

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Jack Nicholson initially turned down the role of J.J. Gittes, but Robert Towne convinced him to take it.”
• “The ending of the film was a source of contention between director Roman Polanski and writer Robert Towne. Towne wanted a more optimistic ending, but Polanski insisted on the tragic one.”
• “Faye Dunaway found the emotional demands of her role incredibly taxing, leading to on-set tensions and a challenging experience for her.”
• “The script went through numerous revisions, and Robert Towne continued to make changes even during filming.”

🖥️ How to Watch Chinatown?

Chinatown is available for purchase or rental on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for television airings. While not typically available on subscription-based streaming services, keep an eye on rotation schedules for platforms like Netflix or Hulu.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Chinatown, you might like these similar films:

• L.A. Confidential (1997): A neo-noir crime drama set in Los Angeles, exploring corruption and morally ambiguous characters.
• The Long Goodbye (1973): Another neo-noir detective story featuring a cynical private investigator in Los Angeles.
• The Maltese Falcon (1941): A classic detective film that shares a similar atmosphere of intrigue and deception.
• Prisoners (2013): A modern thriller exploring themes of corruption, moral compromise, and the darkness within human nature, albeit in a different setting.

🛒 Chinatown Related Products

• Chinatown (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]: A beautifully restored Blu-ray edition of Chinatown, featuring exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, and essays. Great for collectors.
• The Two Jakes [Blu-ray]: A Blu-ray edition of Chinatown’s sequel, starring Jack Nicholson and Harvey Keitel, that is an underappreciated continuation of Jake Gittes’ story.
• Chinatown Movie Poster Print – Vintage Film Poster: A high-quality print of the original Chinatown movie poster, perfect for framing and displaying. An amazing addition to any film buff’s collection
• Water and Power: The Story of Los Angeles’ Epic Struggle for Water and Power – Book: A 592 page paperback that presents the definitive history of Los Angeles’s struggle for water and power, exposing a shadow government whose reach extended from the Owens Valley to the Supreme Court, and whose legacy haunts California to this day.

🎧 Soundtrack

Chinatown features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Love Theme from Chinatown” – performed by Jerry Goldsmith
• “I Can’t Get Started” – performed by Bunny Berigan and His Orchestra

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Analyzing Evil: Noah Cross From Chinatown

Curious about the mind of a cunning and manipulative villain? This video takes us on a deep dive into the character of Noah Cross, exploring his complex motivations and the lasting impact he has on the story of Chinatown.

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