Chinatown (1974) - 50th Anniversary Review - “Forget it, Jake, it's Chinatown.”

[@vlookwoork]

Beautiful review James. I have to say that Chinatown is among my top 3 favorite movies of all time, so hearing someone talk about it in depth as a tribute to its 50th anniversary is quite a gift. Certainly the interest in this film went through different stages over time until I came to the conclusion that it was the closest thing to what I consider a masterpiece. It was the passage of the years, the continuous viewings over and over again, influenced if possible by the discovery and knowledge of all of Roman Polanski's work that made me feel a little more in love every time I saw it. Every aspect of this film makes it stronger and more timeless, from its brilliant script, its perfect cast, not only the main actors, everyone involved shines regardless of the time they spend on the screen, its unforgettable soundtrack, the look and the staging of the era through the meticulous production design prepared by each department, without forgetting the glorious poster, there was a time when simply the poster of a film was capable of arousing absolute curiosity about a film, of course it no longer exists. nowadays. The 70s were definitely full of extraordinary films and yes, if I had to decide on a time in which to have lived that would have been the perfect time, without a doubt I would have had a problem finding enough money and time to have been able to enjoy it in a movie theater, masterpiece after masterpiece. Long live Chinatown and long live good cinema.

[@dws0828]

One of those perfect movies where everything comes together to make something truly special

[@geekinwithJamesHancock]

100% agree. I've lost track of how many times I've seen it.

[@danielturner8740]

Finally saw this on the big screen at our local art deco cinema last year. Glorious.

[@geekinwithJamesHancock]

Nice! One of the most stunningly beautiful movies ever produced and definitely deserves to be seen on the biggest canvas possible.

[@QuasarSniffer]

It's so interesting that the films of the early '70s are talked about as having a sense of moral ambiguity, but Chinatown definitely has one of the most purely evil characters in cinema history, both for his greed and his licentiousness. The bleakness of the ending is a realization that we are living in the world that Noah Cross and his ilk created, and the moral ambiguity comes from how we are supposed to reckon with that, to live in that world every day. What a brilliant, depressing movie!

[@chrisv9419]

Just got the 4K set for my upcoming 26th birthday plus it came with The Two Jakes along it being be my first watch. So far ive seen The Tenant, Repulsion, Knife In The Water, Fearless Vampires, Cul-de-sac and Rosemary’s Baby. He is a remarkable director.

[@geekinwithJamesHancock]

Agreed. If you're still ripping through his movies, I highly recommend 'Bitter Moon' (1992). One of the most ruthless erotic thrillers ever made.

[@chrisv9419]

@@geekinwithJamesHancock I’ll add it to my list! I’ve also got Macbeth, Tess, What? And The Pianist on my pile to go through! Appreciate on your analysis kind sir! Funny you mention Wesson cause he’s on the new 4K special feature!

[@nevskislake]

Absolutely one of the greatest movies ever made! Chinatown is a masterpiece. I get goosebumps every time I hear the first notes of Jerry Goldmsith's amazing score kick in at the start of the movie. Everything about this film is firing on all cylinders. The first time that I watched it, I was an "edgy" teen who thought she could not be shocked anymore. When the big reveal was made, I was so stunned that I had to rewind the film to make sure that I heard what I heard. Lol. I finally got to see Chinatown on the big screen for a film class, and I loved my second viewing of the film even more. The 70's is my favorite decade for film, too, and for all of the reasons you said. I wish this style of cinema would come back, but I don't think we'll ever see a great decade of film like that again. It is beyond cliche' to say this, but they don't make them like that anymore. Anyway, fantastic video, James! I was hoping that Fathom Events would bring this one back to the big screen for its 50th anniversary, but for some reason that did not happen. Oh well. I know what I will be watching tonight. Have a good day. sir. Edit: I just ordered The Big Goodbye: Chinatown and the Last Years of Hollywood. Thank you for recommending it.

[@markbringelson4119]

I was nothing less than mesmerized from start to finish taking in this fantastic video. Man, bravo!

[@tjk3430]

One of the best movies of all time. I have my hs Sr year elective teacher to thank for screening it (in its entirety) along with many other greats. Thanks for covering this James. So many memorable & thought provoking lines like when Jake asks Noah Cross (paraphrasing) why the pursuit for more money & power and Noah responds "The future Mr. Gittes." *EDIT my bad I posted this before you mentioned this scene in your vid! That line pretty much defines limitless greed. You can't put a pricetag on the future, if we could we would.

[@minechaftgamer288]

Just saw this for the first time, also recently the Conversation, been going through 70s movies I've never knew a thing about, you wonderfully sum up what makes this era so great

[@verlinswarey507]

Holy crap,you know a lot about movies!!

[@ssofiman1761]

It not only the best noir movie of alltime it also one of the most immersive movie of alltime once you in chinatown there is no turning back and I think chiantown is the only movie compare to best world buliding and best story music album of alltime

[@AlanDraven]

Awesome review/retrospective. One of my all-time fave films. You should do a review of its 1990 sequel, The Two Jakes. I'd be curious to hear what you thought of it 📽

[@batgurrl]

Great summary of the movies of the 70s (I was a teen, so some went over my head, others I was too young. Excellent review of this noir masterpiece with that wonderful Faye Dunaway twist. I Digress, but I LOVE Rosemary’s Baby. I have felt the 90s was the best decade for movies, but I need to rethink it. Jaws was the first ‘summer Blockbuster’

[@TheVid54]

I couldn't agree with you more on the importance of 70's movie culture. CHINATOWN is practically perfect in every way, thanks to everyone in front of, and behind, the camera. Jack Nicholson was the very definition of 70's attitude and his career peaked with CHINATOWN. Huston was staggering in this picture. Dunaway brought her defiant attitude to the set, but she was no challenge to Polanski, and she shines as the perfect femme fatale. Your take is right on.

[@billg3356]

One of my top five of all time. A masterpiece.

[@emiliokcalvillo]

Great job first time seeing your talent breaking down a movie. Jack was a nice guy who has a jinx on his back.

[@augerrusty]

Great video James

[@amcaesar]

Oh yes, there’s no comparison to Chinatown. I’ll even put my back into defending Bob Towne’s personal trip back to LA in The Two Jakes.

[@CRM-114]

"Repulsion" is so underrated.

[@thewebstylist]

What a fantastic take! And yea all into the 80s, greatest era EVER, simple good times and my fav times of music tv fashion and movies I’ll def checkout some of the early fav 70s classics

[@andreiiancu2501]

A Polanski rank woud be nice, he has sooooo many underrated movies

[@mr.jack0039]

so true. i find him most rewatchable of directors. even his minor Works are very interesting whether it's Frantic or Ninth Gate or very underrated Bitter Moon.

[@thekeywitness]

I revisit Chinatown every few years. It's timeless. It is still the standard-bearer for neo-noir cinema. For some interesting perspective on this production, check out the documentary The Kid Stays in the Picture about Robert Evans.

[@haydengarinduchesne9269]

Chinatown is as close to a perfect movie as you can get comfortably sits in my all time top 5 terrific film noir

[@mr.jack0039]

oh man what a treat. It in my top5 of all time. probably no. 1 I heard you mentioned it briefly in couple podcast but never deep dive. I only heard Bill Scurry talking about it in other podcast. btw. have you listened to commentary by Fincher and Towne and 30 min appreciation by Soderberg and others (dvd extras - it's on YT)?

[@EpictasticJoshua]

An amazing film and one of the best movies of all time. Despite the person and controversies, Polanski made a great one here.

[@nickhtk6285]

I think when I finally got around to see it I enjoyed it coming off the immersive world of James Ellroy.

[@DrDetfink]

Phenomenal film. Having said that. Roll the clocks back to the early 80s…When I was a kid, you can imagine an Asian American watching this movie going, “Er, why is this called Chinatown again?!?!” 😆

[@brunomachado7279]

Sold out!

[@everythingisawesome76]

Stooop. Too much content James. You're on fire lately.

[@geekinwithJamesHancock]

I gotts crank out one more before the Elden Ring DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree, takes over my life at midnight.

[@napoleonwilson155]

cheers

[@k2sworld]

As I mentioned in my comment on your Erotic Thrillers vid, as an Angeleno, any film about or that uses L.A as a setting... especially Hollywood, where I live... automatically goes higher on any list, and Chinatown is at the pinnacle. Pig and Whistle on Hollywood Blvd, which is in the film and was one of the oldest establishments in L.A., is gone, now. Poor management prior to the Fauci plague a few years ago pre-positioned it for failure when everything shut down. But Echo Park still has the little boats you can rent and L.A. is just as corrupt as ever... some things never change.

[@andysmith1996]

The "Fauci plague"?

[@RJS1974]

How can you mention costume design and talk about Nicholson’s look and not mention Faye Dunaway? She was gorgeous in this film and her period dress costumes were amazing.

[@jimnolan830]

Great synopsis, my only slight gripe is the casting of Dunway, I've never understood her attraction, I guess its just a blind spot on my part. On a side note I was an extra on Macbeth playing a tree, as was most of my local village.

[@minechaftgamer288]

she is amazing in Network

[@MilesBellas]

Edward Small inspiration?!

[@SquabbleBoxHQ]

I will always watch this movie forever, in spite of who made it, and in spite of the fact he's probably as bad if not worse than Noah Cross, but Chinatown is a masterpiece.