Chinatown Movie Review 1974

Private detective Jake Gittes (Nicholson) finds himself overwhelmed in a scandalous case involving the rich and powerful of Los Angeles. Gripping, atmospheric mystery excels in virtually every aspect, with strong narrative drive and outstanding performances from Nicholson, Dunaway, and Huston. Director Polanski also appears in a suitable unsettling cameo. Fabulous. A sneaky, snaking delight filled with seedy characters and plots-within-plots. Followed more than 15 years later by "The Two Jakes."

Distribution

Paramount Home Video, 5555 Melrose Ave., 5555 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90038, Phone: (323)956-5000, URL: http://www.paramount.com, Remarks: Does not handle retail queries from consumers; contact your local video distributor.

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 131 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Mystery & Suspense, Private Eyes, Contemporary Noir, Great Depression, Scams, Stings & Cons, 4 Bones

Screenplay

Robert Towne

Cast

Roman Polanski, Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway, John Huston, Diane Ladd, John Hillerman, Burt Young, Perry Lopez, Darrell Zwerling, Joe Mantell

Cinematography

John A. Alonzo

Director

Roman Polanski

Music

Jerry Goldsmith

Producer

Paramount Pictures

Awards

Oscars 1974: Orig. Screenplay; AFI 1998: Top 100; British Acad. 1974: Actor (Nicholson), Director (Polanski), Screenplay; Golden Globes 1975: Actor--Drama (Nicholson), Director (Polanski), Film--Drama, Screenplay, Natl. Film Reg. 1991;; N.Y. Film Critics 1974: Actor (Nicholson); Natl. Soc. Film Critics 1974: Actor (Nicholson); Writers Guild 1974: Orig. Screenplay.