Something underrated about this movie is the style. It’s a slick grittiness. It’s dark but kinda polished. It’s dirty, but not in a fincher way. A Chinatown way.
And its effects were very economically established. One or two classic cars in outdoor shots, a radio playing a 1930s tune in a roadside grill at night, a photo of FDR presiding over a courtroom. I've seen lesser films use a whole lot more expensive sets & props to far less effect. Also, Polanski's use of tight shots keeps reminding us of the complex interdependence among people in society. My favorite shot being when Jake is so excited about sharing a dirty joke with his partners that he fails to see Evelyn & her lawyer moving up behind him: and the anger of his young secretary sent out into the hallway by Jake so she won't hear the dirty joke. Brilliant.
@@dawsondjodvorj2408 Yeah it's a classic tragedy. Robert Towne wanted her to get away, and argued with Polanski over it. But as Polanski said, with a happy ending we wouldn't still be talking about this film decades later. Many classic stories have sad endings. Romeo and Juliet? Or the film noir "Double Indemnity"....etc
@@justmyview2423 it calls back earlier in the film and before this movie begins chinatown was known by all the characters as a place of tragedy evidenced by the fact the main character says he broke a woman's heart there once and anyone else that goes there they feel will most likey end up with the same end/fate
COOL DETAIL: The car honk in the end activates something on our heads - we have heard it before when Evelyn is in the car with Jake and rests her head on the wheel. In the end, on the moment I heard the honk I imagined her hitting the head at the wheel, which could only mean one thing.
@@jeffnicholas6342 I had never payed attention to it, but very nice observation! I was never sure about how dirty detective Lou Escobar would really be, but this detail you mentioned indicates Escobar at least did not try to kill her, it is clear he fired warning shots only. But that other one guy really shoots to kill, it is likely he was the more dirty cop that Noah Cross owned in the police
@@jeffnicholas6342 Lou is a decent guy: he shoots at the tires to stop her, but Jake -- once again -- defeats his own good intentions by pulling Lou's gun hand aside. Whereupon Lou's partner steps up to fire the kill shot.
@@constantreader8760 that sequence of actions is so interesting. It seems as though there’s an invisible barrier between the authorities and their jurisdiction
I know I'm in the minority on this but, I like Chinatown more than The Godfather Part II & I like Deliverance more than The Godfather. I do love all 4 movies though as they are all great!!!!
steve mcnary how are you in the minority plenty of people prefer Chinatown to Godfather 2 and deliverance to The Godfather. There are various lists of the best films ever that put Chinatown ahead of GF2
@@veronicaaccouche1478 It's just that the greatness of The Godfather had already been acknowledged the year before, and even though part II was great, it was just more of the same. "Chinatown" was completely unique, had seen nothing like it unless you went back to the 1940s films.
Definitely one of the all-time great films and if you don’t know what’s coming at the end it’ll rip your heart out and place a hornet’s nest in its place
Jack Nicholson was on fire in the 70s between this and: One flew over the Cuckoos nest Five Easy Pieces The King of Marvin Gardens The Last Detail On a clear day you can see forever Tommy Missouri Breaks The Passenger The Last Tycoon Carnal Knowledge The Rebel Rousers You can make a case that Nicholson had the best decade by any actor in film history
How about DeNiro then? After he brokethrough with Godfather II he for 12y straight acted only in movies which ALL are allways candidates for the best movie ever category! Mean Streets, Godfather II Taxi Driver, Deerhunter, Raging Bull, King of Comedy, Once Upon a Time In America... Actually he had over 15y, when you start counting from Mean Streets, that he only acted in masterpieces. He worked with all the masters, every director who was hot shit back then he worked with. Dont like the guys political views but what can you expect from AAA-List Star?? Most of them aint nice people in reality, but the characters they portray on the big screen and their handywork are fukin excellent. A wise one once said: You dont ever really wanna meet your idols, because reality would hit in & illusion would shatter.
@@joonaslehtonen7965 um only Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, and The Godfather 2 deserve to be in the conversation for best film ever the rest don’t even sniff the top 100 And Just for the 70s alone I would put Gene Hackman, Dustin Hoffman, Al Pacino, and Clint Eastwood over Deniro And also what the hell does his political views have to do with anything
I’d say Pacino had a better 70’s decade, Panic In Needle Park, Godfather I&II, Serpico, Scarecrow, Dog Day Afternoon, Bobby Deerfield, And Justice For All
@@major_lag2643 The ending was perfect.I have no idea why you can't understand what makes this movie great.Probably you have a bad taste taste in movies
@@major_lag2643 The original ending was supposed to be Noah Cross(John Huston)getting killed & it would be a "Happy ending". Roman Polanski was against this ending & said(correctly)No one would remember this film with that ending. It has to be an unhappy ending(or words to that effect)to be remembered. So the ending was re-written. One of the things that made movies from the late 60s through the 70s great was they no longer had to follow the Code which meant that bad guys could win & good guys could lose among other things. More realistic movies instead of the Code era movies. Hence the term 70s Realism.
Chinatown is a film like no other, it hovers on the edge of darkness, surprises us with plot twists and turns, startling revealations, unending suspense, and an ironic ending to beat all ironic endings. This film is a must for any serious moviegoer
I'm impressed how so many scenes are crammed with interesting-looking people: each with his/her own story. Take Jack's first confrontation with Evelyn in his office: he's so focused on the dirty joke he's telling his 2 assistants that he fails to see her moving up behind him with her lawyer. The joke is on Jack. People make life complicated (i.e. Chinatown = complex). One of Jack's assistants tries to warn him that they are not alone, but Jake scolds him, saying "You're always in such a hurry!" Jack's the one in the tragic hurry. He doesn't see all the complications until it's too late. That's what the Los Angeles D.A. tried to warn Jack about in his past errors. Jack is a tragic hero: his best qualities aren't good enough, and he keeps making the same mistake over and over again.
I love the barber shop scene: "Sure is hot!" Nicholson and another customer almost get into a fist fight, but the 2 barbers move in to break it up, there's a tight focus on this rowdy barbershop quartet. Then the dirty joke ("screwing like a chinaman!!") -- used to divert Nicholson's rage -- waltzes us into the next scene: another tightly-focused people-packed scene in Nicholson's office (notice his pretty secretary pouting out in the hallway because Jake's ordered her from the room while he regales his partners with the dirty joke.) One of his colleagues tries to warn Jake about Evelyn's lawyered-up presence. Jake then accuses his colleague of "always being in such a hurry." In reality, Jake is the guy who hurries too much: and that's his tragedy.
@@constantreader8760 Don't know why you added a comment to your comment, but the 1st comment has much insight; I've loved this movie since I first saw it in the theater but your comment gave new perspective on it. Thanks a Lot!
The cinematography in this film is nothing short of gorgeously dreamy without being syrupy. I've never seen another film that's had the same effect. It's not to say that they don't exist, though.
Just watched this for the first time and it left such an impression I had to start watching analysis of it right away. It's amazing how complex but actually simple the plot is. Cross wanted his daughter/grandaughter. That's it. That's the entire reason the fake Evelyn hired Jake. And Cross got what he wanted. Him grabbing Katherine at the end and fading back into the night, gone in an instant, is absolutely chilling.
Yes, and "the future" is what Trump's working toward with all his election lawsuits. They look useless, but his sympathetic fans are pouring in the donations and vowing revenge on our rightfully-elected new president.
@@constantreader8760 Really? This video is an evaluation of a classic film that has absolutely nothing to do with. . .Trump! But your response to this film evaluation is to talk about Trump? He's gone, let it go. . .And don't call me a Trump person, I was for a Democrat in 2020 who didn't get the nomination. . .Tulsi. I would just like to read comments about a video like this without it somehow being tied into. . .(ugh) Trump!
@@BluesImprov I'm viewing it in post-Trump time. I wish we could let Trump go. But he and his are very much with us. BTW Tulsi just said "present" when it was her turn to vote for a Trump impeachment last year." To me, she sounded like a little schoolgirl and thought like a battered housewife. She didn't have a chance for that nomination. Aloha, Tulsi!
I saw it when it came out. Lights went down in the theater and the opening harp gliss sounded, with the amber colored titles, I was hooked in seconds. It said "Let me tell you a story" and I've been watching the film for years ever since. Certainly one of my 5 Top films of all time.
One important aspect of the screenplay to me is that there are actually two stories going on. First there's the story of Noah Cross, Hollis Mulwray, and the LA water supply. But then there's also the story of Noah, Evelyn, Hollis, and Katherine. Jake doesn't realize that the two stories are tangled up with each other, which contributes to his confusion and his inability to figure out what actually happened to Hollis.
They’re not really tangled because Katherine & her relationship to Evelyn and Noah has absolutely nothing to do with the murder of Hollis Mulwray. The only reason it becomes entangled is because Jake Gittes wants to fuck Evelyn.
Nicholson is one of the few actors who gives off strong forward momentum - while standing still. It's in so many of his roles. Passive and dangerous at once.
"You think you know what your dealing with....believe me you don't...."Jake laughs"....why is that funny?...."Jake says"....that's the same thing the D.A. use to tell me in Chinatown👏.....brilliant writing!
Thank you for this great review! Chinatown also has my favorite movie sound tract of all time, which I think contributed greatly to the effectiveness of the movie. Saw the movie when it came out (on a foggy night in San Francisco), and immediately bought the soundtrack -- on vinyl. 1974. Still have it.
Ha, me too, my first soundtrack purchase ever! Now a collector's item, actually. If you've never seen it, check out the trailer on youtube which carries the original soundtrack. Not awful, but ...wow. You appreciate Goldsmith's contribution. I believe it was Evans who heard the original and nixed it, and Goldsmith turned out his version in a matter of days, if I recall correctly
Never heard of this film until my screenwriting professor told us to watch it. Man, I was astounded by how well the film placed my expectations and then threw it out the window. From someone who has never watched films like this to analyze their screenplay, this is one of my most favorite watches
@@JacksMovieReviews Forget it, Jake. It's Chinatown. WIDE SHOT ON THE CROWD AS THEY ARE LOOKING ON THE BODY, POLICEMEN AS THEY ARE SEARCHING IT, J.J GITTIES AND HIS ASSOCIATES LEAVE THE PLACE. ROLL CREDITS.
Just watched it for the first time last night. Great film. I would put it up there with some of the best movies I have ever seen. As a side note, I haven't seen a lot of Film Noire. But I have played L.A. Noire quite a bit. And it was very noticeable much they were inspired by this movie....Great game too.
Jack Nicholas plays a great Jake, his eyes tell more then his character dialog, watching CHINATOWN also displays the difficulty of how water had so many twist and turns like the plot in movie itself, a wonderful movie, character actors, and actress.
I’m so glad you did a video on my favorite film! Everything about Chinatown is so genius and brilliantly written, and I’m glad to see you making a video so more people can discover this masterpiece
Just viewed this film...again. I've seen it multiple times and have caught something new every time. It goes without saying. one of the greatest films of all time.
This video just uploaded a few days ago. I just watched Chinatown today and you have a video for this. Perfect timing and love hearing your opinions on film
Nice thorough dissection of a genuine film classic. Any chance you might do the same for Curtis Hanson and Brian Helgeland's script for LA Confidential, which could be argued to be a successor to Chinatown? Fun fact: both Hanson and Robert Towne got their first breaks as screenwriters with Roger Corman, albeit during different decades. Ditto Jack Nicholson during the Towne era; the two were even roommates.
Jack Nicholson could have been a true Detective. He has the most powerful tools: Gift of gab, good heart, wit, high emotional IQ, finesses and... extreme charisma. I work as a PI since 1986 and I am according to law firms and quiet a few other powerful clients very similar to him... . He inspired me with Chinatown when I was a boy. Heartfelt thanks to you, Jake coughcough ... Jack ...
CoolAidKid - Cyrus my top 10 would be : 1/. Taxi Driver 2/. Blade Runner 3/. Chinatown 4/. Apocalypse Now 5/. American Beauty 6/. Drive 7/. Psycho 8/. Boogie nights 9/. City Lights 10/. Shining And what’s yours ? ;)
mine is a bit of a weird one but from best to worst 1 children of men lawrance of arabia seven la confidential inception lethal weapon bladerunner chinatown the matrix 10 local hero edit: your list is very respectable might I add
CoolAidKid - Cyrus I don’t think it’s weird, it’s a very good top since it reflects your own taste ! I also love LA confidential and Seven. Very original by the way.
That feeling when you find a new uploader and love it. Happened with Captain Disillusion, the Cinema Snob, and now... Jack? Hello, Jack, I'm Ellie. I can't wait to explore your channel further :)
Great movie. Just watched it last night. Was suprised how well it was written and performed. Jack is awesome in this film. Ending had me feeling empty and if a movie can make you feel anything it has done its job
Also, his nose being bandaged is a genius plot device. A p.i. drawing all the attention. I think there is even more to it, but it's so counterintuitive and refreshing...
Best youtuber for film bar-none. I have a nose for this stuff, I watched Nerdwriter before he blew up. Be patient and you too will explode! either way though, Your videos have really shaped many of my views on film. your seven Samurai and there will be blood (PTA) videos were top notch. You should do the LOTR, I watched the appendices recently and they had some very interesting philosophical thematic discussions
To be fair though, You actually analyze films not just list self-evident statements so maybe you are not made for main stream consumption. Either way... great stuff
When I think of the greatest screenplays of all time, I think of the likes of Casablanca, Maltese Falcon, Godfather, Jaws, Goodfellas, Pulp Fiction, and Dark Knight. Having finally seen Chinatown, I can now add it to the list.
I love that Robert Towne is always making a sly reference to a real life character - John Mullholland Faye Dunaway's character - Mrs. Mullray A crooked thug cop Jake fends off- Mullvahey One or two other characters with the same inside baseball gag.....
Awesome as always! Seen the movie only once all the way through with full attention. Still need to rewatch to get a better idea of its meaning (or the plural). Anyway: for me this movie is also the template for all following period neo noir, such as Farewell My Lovely (1975), Mulholland Falls (1996), L.A. Confidential (1997), The Black Dahlia (2006)... and movies with elements of period neo noir (such as Dark City, 1998) both in cinematography (color, often with earthy tones) and music (that lonely jazzy trumpet and saxophone with lush orchestra, by the great Jerry Goldsmith - by now associated with any kind of period noir, even though the classic films noir from the 1940s had Max Steiner type dramatic music). LOVE the cinematography and set design. It is some kind of cleaner, idealized version of 1940s L.A. Anyway: thanks for pointing out the red herrings and misleading cliches in the screenplay. Will rewatch as soon as I have the chance.
Absolutely! Need also to do some research. This movie seems to be the blueprint for all following neo noirs (both period and contemporary) including Body Heat (1981), which is basically a remake of Double Indemnity (1944) - a way simpler story line - and the music by John Barry, although featuring electronic instruments, is clearly heavily inspired by Jerry Goldsmith's Chinatown score. I wonder, if Night Moves (1975, with a VERY complicated story, including a ton of Easter eggs and hidden messages) was directly inspired by Chinatown. My bet is on yes.
Very well done review on one of my favorite films. Yes, it's a superb screenplay which is what I believe makes a great movie, much more then splashy special effects and a CGI filled movie. Going back to "Best" screenplay, it's been said that -All about Eve (1950) holds the title, another great film. Also, One flew over the cuckoos nest,Silence of the Lambs, LA Confidental, to name a few.
Watched it for the first time today really enjoyed it, plan on watching it again now that I can pick up on the small clues and know everything. Jack Nicholson is incredible in this movie
Great video. I never read about this movie or watched a video about it. I think I will skip this and let me remain in awe instead of understanding the reasons why this movie was so great. No doubt, there is no movie like it [full stop]
Thank you for helping me scratch the itch. I am obsessed with this film. Still traumatised by the last scene. Why did Jake call Noah Cross ? He could have been a true hero.
I find this movie incredible. If you compare it to others the immersion is so deep that you really feel like the spectator of real lifes. Also, like in real life you don't understand everything that is happening around you. So is the structure of the movie. It is genius.
When I hear young people complain about the ending to this classic, it makes sense, think about it young people today don't like the idea of suffering even if it's watching an amazingly well written masterpiece like Chinatown. The one message one should get after watching chinatown is that the "good guys" don't always win and you won't always get what you want. I believe that it's ok to suffer in life to have some bitterness in one's life isn't going to kill you... it makes it so that when something actually good comes into your life it may cause you to appreciate it.
I watched this recently and wonder if I missed something, it was fine, not boring or bad but fine. The ending for me, as well as when jake discovers who the girl is were both unintentionally hilarious.
I love how every character in this film is the supreme subversion of a trope. And with each one we assume we know who they are when in actuality, in keeping with the major theme of the film, we couldn’t be farther from the truth.
One phrase stuck out for me, “Road of Confusion”, that we travel with the false assumptions that the writer has set up for us. I want to analyze this movie once again paying special attention to how Towne does this. It seems to me that without this set up, the revelation is less startling and impactful.
I dont think Katherine is mistress of Hollis. I think he was just looking out for her and there's no hint that they're having an affair. I think they're relationship is like father-daughter and evelyn doesn't want katherine to know that her father is her grandfather.
I actually read enough of this to find scenes that never made it to the screen. Like, Noah Cross and Mr. Gittes met at a corral. Noah talks literally about horseshit.
I am so grateful I had no idea about the ending before I saw this. It crazy how much I hated the ending so much on my first viewing, but after just 5 minutes of reflection left thinking it just might not only be my favorite ending, but the best i've ever seen in any movie.
@@bkynbiker19 yeah I found that out later. And it adds so much when you consider he made this after going through such a horrific murder of his wife and unborn child
@@bkynbiker19 Polanski spent part of his childhood with his parents in one of Hitler's prison camps. He understood that evil wins a lot more than we'd like to think.
Mr Jack, I've been watching the TV program "Condor" based on the book "Six days of the condor"......so is there any chance you could do a review of the movie "Three days of the condor"? Both the original movie and the tv program are intriguing and I would be curious to know your take on the film. Your reviews are most informative keep it going, thx
Кино
![Movies I Love (and so can you): Chinatown (1974) [*Spoilers*]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/MXXZ941iYjk/mqdefault.jpg)
Something underrated about this movie is the style. It’s a slick grittiness. It’s dark but kinda polished. It’s dirty, but not in a fincher way. A Chinatown way.
Couldn't agree more
And its effects were very economically established. One or two classic cars in outdoor shots, a radio playing a 1930s tune in a roadside grill at night, a photo of FDR presiding over a courtroom. I've seen lesser films use a whole lot more expensive sets & props to far less effect. Also, Polanski's use of tight shots keeps reminding us of the complex interdependence among people in society. My favorite shot being when Jake is so excited about sharing a dirty joke with his partners that he fails to see Evelyn & her lawyer moving up behind him: and the anger of his young secretary sent out into the hallway by Jake so she won't hear the dirty joke. Brilliant.
Oily. Like the Machinist.
It’s hardly underrated if the film is on almost every Top 100 Movies of All Time list as well as winning 11 awards in 1975 alone.
It is film noir after all.
Just saw it, one of the most depressing endings to a movie, if not the most
I've never felt shittier after watching a movie than chinatown
Yup I take a 1 point out of 10 for such a bad ending. Everything he does in the movie is pointless / doesn’t change anything so why am I watching?
@@RealJoshTv reality my man, everything doesn't happen the way we want.
@@dawsondjodvorj2408 Yeah it's a classic tragedy. Robert Towne wanted her to get away, and argued with Polanski over it. But as Polanski said, with a happy ending we wouldn't still be talking about this film decades later. Many classic stories have sad endings. Romeo and Juliet? Or the film noir "Double Indemnity"....etc
Flavio Cubas I recommend you watch the film ‘Dead mans shoes’ ... I was left crippled after it
"Forget it Jake,its Chinatown."
anujay mishra “Forget it, Jake. It’s Chinatown” punctuation is important
@@liamobrien1085 English ain't my first language, so would you be able to tell me why there's a comma after Jake?
One of the most heartbreaking lines in the history of cinema.
I didn't understand
What does this line implies in movie?
@@justmyview2423 it calls back earlier in the film and before this movie begins chinatown was known by all the characters as a place of tragedy evidenced by the fact the main character says he broke a woman's heart there once and anyone else that goes there they feel will most likey end up with the same end/fate
COOL DETAIL: The car honk in the end activates something on our heads - we have heard it before when Evelyn is in the car with Jake and rests her head on the wheel.
In the end, on the moment I heard the honk I imagined her hitting the head at the wheel, which could only mean one thing.
You ever notice that one detective shoots in the air while the other shoots at the car..?
@@jeffnicholas6342 I had never payed attention to it, but very nice observation!
I was never sure about how dirty detective Lou Escobar would really be, but this detail you mentioned indicates Escobar at least did not try to kill her, it is clear he fired warning shots only. But that other one guy really shoots to kill, it is likely he was the more dirty cop that Noah Cross owned in the police
@@jeffnicholas6342 Lou is a decent guy: he shoots at the tires to stop her, but Jake -- once again -- defeats his own good intentions by pulling Lou's gun hand aside. Whereupon Lou's partner steps up to fire the kill shot.
@@constantreader8760 that sequence of actions is so interesting.
It seems as though there’s an invisible barrier between the authorities and their jurisdiction
Didn't notice that detail... amazing catch!
If it weren't for The Godfather Part II, Chinatown totally would've won Best Picture.
thats the most unfortunate thing that could of happened
I know I'm in the minority on this but, I like Chinatown more than The Godfather Part II & I like Deliverance more than The Godfather. I do love all 4 movies though as they are all great!!!!
steve mcnary how are you in the minority plenty of people prefer Chinatown to Godfather 2 and deliverance to The Godfather. There are various lists of the best films ever that put Chinatown ahead of GF2
They are equally as good. Shame they couldn't have awarded both.
@@veronicaaccouche1478 It's just that the greatness of The Godfather had already been acknowledged the year before, and even though part II was great, it was just more of the same. "Chinatown" was completely unique, had seen nothing like it unless you went back to the 1940s films.
Definitely one of the all-time great films and if you don’t know what’s coming at the end it’ll rip your heart out and place a hornet’s nest in its place
I tried not to reveal the wrist in case people haven't seen it
Thank you, I haven't!
Sequojah O'Neal the movie is the journey, not some gotcha at the end imo
Jck747 I completely agree and it’s a fantastic journey at that
Sequojah O'Neal "As little as possible."
Jack Nicholson was on fire in the 70s between this and:
One flew over the Cuckoos nest
Five Easy Pieces
The King of Marvin Gardens
The Last Detail
On a clear day you can see forever
Tommy
Missouri Breaks
The Passenger
The Last Tycoon
Carnal Knowledge
The Rebel Rousers
You can make a case that Nicholson had the best decade by any actor in film history
How about DeNiro then? After he brokethrough with Godfather II he for 12y straight acted only in movies which ALL are allways candidates for the best movie ever category! Mean Streets, Godfather II Taxi Driver, Deerhunter, Raging Bull, King of Comedy, Once Upon a Time In America... Actually he had over 15y, when you start counting from Mean Streets, that he only acted in masterpieces. He worked with all the masters, every director who was hot shit back then he worked with.
Dont like the guys political views but what can you expect from AAA-List Star?? Most of them aint nice people in reality, but the characters they portray on the big screen and their handywork are fukin excellent. A wise one once said: You dont ever really wanna meet your idols, because reality would hit in & illusion would shatter.
@@joonaslehtonen7965 um only Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, and The Godfather 2 deserve to be in the conversation for best film ever the rest don’t even sniff the top 100
And Just for the 70s alone I would put Gene Hackman, Dustin Hoffman, Al Pacino, and Clint Eastwood over Deniro
And also what the hell does his political views have to do with anything
Well thats allways debatable. And to that other guestion: That too is allways debatable.
I’d say Pacino had a better 70’s decade, Panic In Needle Park, Godfather I&II, Serpico, Scarecrow, Dog Day Afternoon, Bobby Deerfield, And Justice For All
You Can Make a Case that Jack Nicholson is the Best Actor of All-Time
Chinatown is one of my favourite movies of all time
Why tho? the ending was terrible
Mine too
@@major_lag2643 The ending was perfect.I have no idea why you can't understand what makes this movie great.Probably you have a bad taste taste in movies
Η Μαγεια Του Κινηματογραφου everyone says it’s great but no one can give a legitimate explanation.
@@major_lag2643 The original ending was supposed to be Noah Cross(John Huston)getting killed & it would be a "Happy ending". Roman Polanski was against this ending & said(correctly)No one would remember this film with that ending. It has to be an unhappy ending(or words to that effect)to be remembered. So the ending was re-written. One of the things that made movies from the late 60s through the 70s great was they no longer had to follow the Code which meant that bad guys could win & good guys could lose among other things. More realistic movies instead of the Code era movies. Hence the term 70s Realism.
A masterpiece; easily one of the greatest films of all time
I fully agree.
Chinatown is a film like no other, it hovers on the edge of darkness, surprises us with plot twists and turns, startling revealations, unending suspense, and an ironic ending to beat all ironic endings. This film is a must for any serious moviegoer
I'm impressed how so many scenes are crammed with interesting-looking people: each with
his/her own story. Take Jack's first confrontation with Evelyn in his office: he's so focused on the dirty joke he's telling his 2 assistants that he fails to see her moving up behind him with her lawyer. The joke is on Jack. People make life complicated (i.e. Chinatown = complex).
One of Jack's assistants tries to warn him that they are not alone, but Jake scolds him, saying "You're always in such a hurry!" Jack's the one in the tragic hurry. He doesn't see all the complications until it's too late. That's what the Los Angeles D.A. tried to warn Jack about in his past errors. Jack is a tragic hero: his best qualities aren't good enough, and he keeps making the same mistake over and over again.
I love the barber shop scene: "Sure is hot!" Nicholson and another customer almost get into a fist fight, but the 2 barbers move in to break it up, there's a tight focus on this rowdy barbershop quartet. Then the dirty joke ("screwing like a chinaman!!") -- used to divert Nicholson's rage -- waltzes us into the next scene: another tightly-focused people-packed scene in Nicholson's office (notice his pretty secretary pouting out in the hallway because Jake's ordered her from the room while he regales his partners with the dirty joke.) One of his colleagues tries to warn Jake about Evelyn's lawyered-up presence. Jake then accuses his colleague of "always being in such a hurry." In reality, Jake is the guy who hurries too much: and that's his tragedy.
@@constantreader8760 Don't know why you added a comment to your comment, but the 1st comment has much insight; I've loved this movie since I first saw it in the theater but your comment gave new perspective on it. Thanks a Lot!
What a coincidence. I watched this movie for the first time yesterday. Great movie
It was no coincidence... The logarithm has you, they are watching our every move, especially on the internet...
i strongly recommend you to watch it a couple of mere times. come up with the results
I watched it for the first time today :'D
@@CalebePriester "logarithm" lmao
@@dogeboi6094 lol
Greatest film ever made....Curly is my neighbor,see him everyday....great guy.
he's also a very greesy gangster in once upon a time of america i think
And Paulie from Rocky!!
And Bacala Sr. in The Sopranos!
And soldier in walker Texas ranger
Except when he blackens his wife's eye.
Not to mention this movie looks F A N T A S T I C
The cinematography in this film is nothing short of gorgeously dreamy without being syrupy. I've never seen another film that's had the same effect. It's not to say that they don't exist, though.
Just watched this for the first time and it left such an impression I had to start watching analysis of it right away. It's amazing how complex but actually simple the plot is. Cross wanted his daughter/grandaughter. That's it. That's the entire reason the fake Evelyn hired Jake. And Cross got what he wanted. Him grabbing Katherine at the end and fading back into the night, gone in an instant, is absolutely chilling.
"The future, Mr. Gittes, the future": A great line for the master-genius.director JOHN HUSTON.
Yes, and "the future" is what Trump's working toward with all his election lawsuits. They look useless, but his sympathetic fans are pouring in the donations and vowing revenge on our rightfully-elected new president.
Yes...a memorable quote
@@constantreader8760 sure guy.
@@constantreader8760 Really? This video is an evaluation of a classic film that has absolutely nothing to do with. . .Trump! But your response to this film evaluation is to talk about Trump? He's gone, let it go. . .And don't call me a Trump person, I was for a Democrat in 2020 who didn't get the nomination. . .Tulsi. I would just like to read comments about a video like this without it somehow being tied into. . .(ugh) Trump!
@@BluesImprov I'm viewing it in post-Trump time. I wish we could let Trump go. But he and his are very much with us. BTW Tulsi just said "present" when it was her turn to vote for a Trump impeachment last year." To me, she sounded like a little schoolgirl and thought like a battered housewife. She didn't have a chance for that nomination. Aloha, Tulsi!
From the beginning notes of the soundtrack, I am swallowed by the movie
I saw it when it came out. Lights went down in the theater and the opening harp gliss sounded, with the amber colored titles, I was hooked in seconds. It said "Let me tell you a story" and I've been watching the film for years ever since. Certainly one of my 5 Top films of all time.
i agree with everything you said,also i personally believe it was Nicholson's best performance
Richard Cockerill me too
Yes.I too agree
100% in agreement it was Nicholson's best performance.
I watched it for the first time today and it really killed me. Had no idea it was gonna be like that
One important aspect of the screenplay to me is that there are actually two stories going on. First there's the story of Noah Cross, Hollis Mulwray, and the LA water supply. But then there's also the story of Noah, Evelyn, Hollis, and Katherine. Jake doesn't realize that the two stories are tangled up with each other, which contributes to his confusion and his inability to figure out what actually happened to Hollis.
They’re not really tangled because Katherine & her relationship to Evelyn and Noah has absolutely nothing to do with the murder of Hollis Mulwray. The only reason it becomes entangled is because Jake Gittes wants to fuck Evelyn.
"Well to you the truth I lied a little." My favorite movie
Nicholson is one of the few actors who gives off strong forward momentum - while standing still. It's in so many of his roles. Passive and dangerous at once.
yes, i love films that don't waste any moments thus making them a very effective story tellings
Can't wait for review of "House That Jack Built" in "Jack's Movie Reviews"
"You think you know what your dealing with....believe me you don't...."Jake laughs"....why is that funny?...."Jake says"....that's the same thing the D.A. use to tell me in Chinatown👏.....brilliant writing!
Thank you for this great review! Chinatown also has my favorite movie sound tract of all time, which I think contributed greatly to the effectiveness of the movie. Saw the movie when it came out (on a foggy night in San Francisco), and immediately bought the soundtrack -- on vinyl. 1974. Still have it.
Ha, me too, my first soundtrack purchase ever! Now a collector's item, actually. If you've never seen it, check out the trailer on youtube which carries the original soundtrack. Not awful, but ...wow. You appreciate Goldsmith's contribution. I believe it was Evans who heard the original and nixed it, and Goldsmith turned out his version in a matter of days, if I recall correctly
This is one of those films that gets better/more disturbing the more you think about it. It really sticks with you days after you watch it.
Every time I watch it, it blows me away a little more.
Never heard of this film until my screenwriting professor told us to watch it. Man, I was astounded by how well the film placed my expectations and then threw it out the window. From someone who has never watched films like this to analyze their screenplay, this is one of my most favorite watches
classic flick
One of the best!
@@JacksMovieReviews Forget it, Jake. It's Chinatown.
WIDE SHOT ON THE CROWD AS THEY ARE LOOKING ON THE BODY, POLICEMEN AS THEY ARE SEARCHING IT, J.J GITTIES AND HIS ASSOCIATES LEAVE THE PLACE.
ROLL CREDITS.
Just watched it for the first time last night. Great film. I would put it up there with some of the best movies I have ever seen. As a side note, I haven't seen a lot of Film Noire. But I have played L.A. Noire quite a bit. And it was very noticeable much they were inspired by this movie....Great game too.
Must see film noir, if you're interested: Double Indemnity, Sunset Boulevard, Night and the City, Out of the Past, and White Heat (gangster/noir),
It’s noir
Jack Nicholas plays a great Jake, his eyes tell more then his character dialog, watching CHINATOWN also displays the difficulty of how water had so many twist and turns like the plot in movie itself, a wonderful movie, character actors, and actress.
One of my favorite films. Great analysis.
I’m so glad you did a video on my favorite film! Everything about Chinatown is so genius and brilliantly written, and I’m glad to see you making a video so more people can discover this masterpiece
Just viewed this film...again. I've seen it multiple times and have caught something new every time. It goes without saying. one of the greatest films of all time.
VERY underrated channel! Keep up the work and also loved the movie!
Every few years I watch this movie. Every time I watch it it gets better. And it was sensational the first time.
This video just uploaded a few days ago. I just watched Chinatown today and you have a video for this. Perfect timing and love hearing your opinions on film
Chinatown was story and character driven. Direction, cinematography and soundtrack were perfection. It all came together in this picture.
Great video, my man. Just watched this film for the first time today, and was blown away. Gotta love good cinema
Nice thorough dissection of a genuine film classic. Any chance you might do the same for Curtis Hanson and Brian Helgeland's script for LA Confidential, which could be argued to be a successor to Chinatown? Fun fact: both Hanson and Robert Towne got their first breaks as screenwriters with Roger Corman, albeit during different decades. Ditto Jack Nicholson during the Towne era; the two were even roommates.
14 patrons now, Jack :) you deserve it!
Very much appreciated!
Chinatown and The Two Jakes are among my favorite movies. I love the furniture in Jakes office and the whole 50's modern style
Jack Nicholson could have been a true Detective. He has the most powerful tools: Gift of gab, good heart, wit, high emotional IQ, finesses and... extreme charisma. I work as a PI since 1986 and I am according to law firms and quiet a few other powerful clients very similar to him... . He inspired me with Chinatown when I was a boy. Heartfelt thanks to you, Jake coughcough ... Jack ...
You don't feel any guilt spying on people for powerful clients?
You don`t feel any guilt not helping victims of crime and instead having super bad judgement on those who do? @@OWlsfordshire
My favorite youtube channel uploading an analysis of my third favorite movie of all time !You made my day.
whats your first favourite movie?
CoolAidKid - Cyrus my top 10 would be :
1/. Taxi Driver
2/. Blade Runner
3/. Chinatown
4/. Apocalypse Now
5/. American Beauty
6/. Drive
7/. Psycho
8/. Boogie nights
9/. City Lights
10/. Shining
And what’s yours ? ;)
Chinatown. Blade runner. Body heat. Chitty chitty bang bang
mine is a bit of a weird one but from best to worst
1 children of men
lawrance of arabia
seven
la confidential
inception
lethal weapon
bladerunner
chinatown
the matrix
10 local hero
edit: your list is very respectable might I add
CoolAidKid - Cyrus I don’t think it’s weird, it’s a very good top since it reflects your own taste ! I also love LA confidential and Seven.
Very original by the way.
That feeling when you find a new uploader and love it. Happened with Captain Disillusion, the Cinema Snob, and now... Jack? Hello, Jack, I'm Ellie. I can't wait to explore your channel further :)
Welcome aboard Ellie!
Just hearing the theme played throughout the video made me go and watch the movie again.
Network is pretty high up there, too, Jack.
One of my favorite movies of all
Great movie. Just watched it last night. Was suprised how well it was written and performed. Jack is awesome in this film. Ending had me feeling empty and if a movie can make you feel anything it has done its job
Nice video, been following this channel love their videos. So inspired to upload more videos on my own channel.
Yes it's one of the best films in my book.
I love how you used the movie commentary with David FIncher and Robert Towne!
I saw a lot of Chinatown in Zodiac and Seven
This is terrific. Thanks.
A top 5 favorite film of all time for me.
Top 3 for me.
Wolfe 123 in my top ten
It's my favorite as of this comment. I have no idea what will top it but it better be pretty damn special.
Also, his nose being bandaged is a genius plot device. A p.i. drawing all the attention. I think there is even more to it, but it's so counterintuitive and refreshing...
Yes. Greatest story and screenplay of all time. If only even a remotely same goodness of a screenplay was written...
I recently watched movie and definitely going to be a favorite going forward. Also need to watch it a few more times
A great detective story with an unexpected twist in the end.
Jack N and Faye D are fantasticp
Very few people are aware that there is a little known Part 2 of Chinatown by another name
I never thought that non-horror movie could give me nightmares at this age.
I loooovve Chinatown. It’s one of my favourites.
A great movie by one of the greatest Directors
Best youtuber for film bar-none. I have a nose for this stuff, I watched Nerdwriter before he blew up. Be patient and you too will explode! either way though, Your videos have really shaped many of my views on film. your seven Samurai and there will be blood (PTA) videos were top notch. You should do the LOTR, I watched the appendices recently and they had some very interesting philosophical thematic discussions
To be fair though, You actually analyze films not just list self-evident statements so maybe you are not made for main stream consumption. Either way... great stuff
When I think of the greatest screenplays of all time, I think of the likes of Casablanca, Maltese Falcon, Godfather, Jaws, Goodfellas, Pulp Fiction, and Dark Knight. Having finally seen Chinatown, I can now add it to the list.
I love that Robert Towne is always making a sly reference to a real life character - John Mullholland
Faye Dunaway's character - Mrs. Mullray
A crooked thug cop Jake fends off-
Mullvahey
One or two other characters with the same inside baseball gag.....
Awesome as always! Seen the movie only once all the way through with full attention. Still need to rewatch to get a better idea of its meaning (or the plural). Anyway: for me this movie is also the template for all following period neo noir, such as Farewell My Lovely (1975), Mulholland Falls (1996), L.A. Confidential (1997), The Black Dahlia (2006)... and movies with elements of period neo noir (such as Dark City, 1998) both in cinematography (color, often with earthy tones) and music (that lonely jazzy trumpet and saxophone with lush orchestra, by the great Jerry Goldsmith - by now associated with any kind of period noir, even though the classic films noir from the 1940s had Max Steiner type dramatic music). LOVE the cinematography and set design. It is some kind of cleaner, idealized version of 1940s L.A.
Anyway: thanks for pointing out the red herrings and misleading cliches in the screenplay. Will rewatch as soon as I have the chance.
It really is well done and helped to pave the path for a lot of future noir.
Absolutely! Need also to do some research. This movie seems to be the blueprint for all following neo noirs (both period and contemporary) including Body Heat (1981), which is basically a remake of Double Indemnity (1944) - a way simpler story line - and the music by John Barry, although featuring electronic instruments, is clearly heavily inspired by Jerry Goldsmith's Chinatown score. I wonder, if Night Moves (1975, with a VERY complicated story, including a ton of Easter eggs and hidden messages) was directly inspired by Chinatown. My bet is on yes.
You could add Body Heat 1981
Well I did in my reply :-)
The cinematography in "Chinatown" is breathtaking. I have never seen anything like it. The glowing tones belie the undercurrent of absolute human rot.
Great Video.
I loved the movie btw :)
Very well done review on one of my favorite films.
Yes, it's a superb screenplay which is what I believe makes a great movie, much more then splashy special effects and a CGI filled movie.
Going back to "Best" screenplay, it's been said that -All about Eve (1950) holds the title, another great film.
Also, One flew over the cuckoos nest,Silence of the Lambs, LA Confidental, to name a few.
Casablanca, Network, and The Usual Suspects
I cut out of work to see this movie re-released at a theater in San Jose a few years back. It's an awesome flick and my favorite Jack Nicholson role.
Watched it for the first time today really enjoyed it, plan on watching it again now that I can pick up on the small clues and know everything. Jack Nicholson is incredible in this movie
Haven't remembered really seeing it. But I saved a link and will add this one to research for my own Noir.
Wow some amazing insights
This was so underrated!
Bravo Jack. When you're right, you're right and you're right.
Patreon is the best sponsor.
Phenomenal movie. All characters are brilliantly played by all actors. Very dark.
Great video. I never read about this movie or watched a video about it. I think I will skip this and let me remain in awe instead of understanding the reasons why this movie was so great. No doubt, there is no movie like it [full stop]
Can't argue with you on this
Just saw it. Soooo good
Thank you for helping me scratch the itch.
I am obsessed with this film.
Still traumatised by the last scene.
Why did Jake call Noah Cross ?
He could have been a true hero.
And Jack is in every scene.
The soundtrack is so good in this movie
I find this movie incredible. If you compare it to others the immersion is so deep that you really feel like the spectator of real lifes. Also, like in real life you don't understand everything that is happening around you. So is the structure of the movie. It is genius.
When I hear young people complain about the ending to this classic, it makes sense, think about it young people today don't like the idea of suffering even if it's watching an amazingly well written masterpiece like Chinatown. The one message one should get after watching chinatown is that the "good guys" don't always win and you won't always get what you want.
I believe that it's ok to suffer in life to have some bitterness in one's life isn't going to kill you... it makes it so that when something actually good comes into your life it may cause you to appreciate it.
I watched this recently and wonder if I missed something, it was fine, not boring or bad but fine. The ending for me, as well as when jake discovers who the girl is were both unintentionally hilarious.
Such a great LA film. Hits on the hollowness behind the curtain of the manicured mansions and pristine drives, sunsets, and beaches.
It’s all in the background...the water...the incest...what boils beneath the surface of authority and its corrupt officials?
Great channel
Watching Chinatown makes me want to drink scotch, smoke unfiltered cigarettes and cry. What a great film.
I love how every character in this film is the supreme subversion of a trope. And with each one we assume we know who they are when in actuality, in keeping with the major theme of the film, we couldn’t be farther from the truth.
It kinda reminds me of a more complex gone girl. Whenever you get a new piece of info it changes your entire outlook
One phrase stuck out for me, “Road of Confusion”, that we travel with the false assumptions that the writer has set up for us. I want to analyze this movie once again paying special attention to how Towne does this. It seems to me that without this set up, the revelation is less startling and impactful.
I dont think Katherine is mistress of Hollis. I think he was just looking out for her and there's no hint that they're having an affair. I think they're relationship is like father-daughter and evelyn doesn't want katherine to know that her father is her grandfather.
I'm in agreement - excellent in every way, including the perfect score by Jerry Goldsmith.
I actually read enough of this to find scenes that never made it to the screen. Like, Noah Cross and Mr. Gittes met at a corral. Noah talks literally about horseshit.
I am so grateful I had no idea about the ending before I saw this. It crazy how much I hated the ending so much on my first viewing, but after just 5 minutes of reflection left thinking it just might not only be my favorite ending, but the best i've ever seen in any movie.
Robert Towne's ending was a complete 180, a 'happy' one. This was Polanski's
@@bkynbiker19 yeah I found that out later. And it adds so much when you consider he made this after going through such a horrific murder of his wife and unborn child
@@bkynbiker19 Polanski spent part of his childhood with his parents in one of Hitler's prison camps. He understood that evil wins a lot more than we'd like to think.
Mr Jack, I've been watching the TV program "Condor" based on the book "Six days of the condor"......so is there any chance you could do a review of the movie "Three days of the condor"? Both the original movie and the tv program are intriguing and I would be curious to know your take on the film. Your reviews are most informative keep it going, thx
Excellent analysis. Laudable...can u explain Denis Villeneuve directed Enemy(2013)...plz
Really great video. I’m tired of watching all of these other Blabey yentas talking about film noir you did a great job.
Just recently rewatched Chinatown, I had forgotten how fucking great that movie is
i saw it when it was released in the theatre,loved going to movies back in the day,not anymore
I still love it! Saw two in theaters this past weekend!
Watched it last night!!! Still sad!!
Few people know that there is a sequel to this great movie.
It is called 'The Two Jakes'
Unfortunately that one is not very good.