If you haven’t yet watched Chinatown (1974) before, this is the perfect place to start. The movie tells the story of private detective Johnny Roselli as he tries to stay alive amidst a city-wide conspiracy against him. The plot continues with his exchange with a transvestite named Dawn alongside several other stories that unfold along the way. In this blog you will find all you need to know about Chinatown (1974) story line and short reviews.
Contents
Plot
The plot of Chinatown is about a private detective who is hired by the owner of a department store to find out who murdered his wife. It also shows how people from different countries and cultures are affected by their environment and how they live in it.
In the movie, there are many characters that make up the plot, for example John Spencer plays Jules Winfield who becomes an important character in the movie as he finds out that a group of Chinese businessmen have something to do with his wife’s murder. Another character played by Jack Nicholson is Max Klein, he has some information on this case which makes him realize that he needs to take control over his life again.
However because of his past experiences and beliefs he refuses to help this man in solving this case even though it will lead him to where he wants to be. The last but not least character we should look at is Sydney Prosser played by Faye Dunaway who is one of two suspects in this murder case. She has been planning her escape since she was 14 years old and now she is ready for it although she doesn’t know what will happen when she leaves her country behind her forever.
The Climax of the Movie
Climax of Chinatown is a 1974 American drama film directed by Robert Parrish and starring Rod Steiger, James Hong, Tony Lo Bianco, Mickey Shaughnessy and Michael Ansara. The screenplay was written by Harold Pinter.
The film is based on the novel “Chinatown” (1974) by Robert Towne which in turn was inspired by the historical events that took place in Los Angeles’ Chinatown during its heyday in the late 1800s and early 1900s. It was adapted for the screen by director Robert Towne who also wrote the screenplay for this movie. The story follows two police officers who are both investigating crimes involving prostitution in Chinatown but at different times during their investigation learn about each other’s pasts from a mutual friend.
The Story Behind the Movie
The story behind Chinatown is that a young woman is found murdered in the heart of an old town and her spirit has been trapped in an old mansion. The young woman’s ghost seeks revenge on the killer of her love, but only to discover that the one who really committed the crime was her lover herself.
The movie features fine performances by Faye Wong, John Cho and many others and it was directed by Roman Polanski. It also won several awards including “Best Film” at the 1975 Cannes Film Festival.
Awards
Chinatown is a 1974 American neo-noir mystery film directed by Roman Polanski. The screenplay by Robert Towne was based on the novel of the same name by David Goodis, who also wrote the original story. The film stars Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway, John Huston and Rossano Brazzi.
Chinatown won two Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actress (Faye Dunaway) and Best Writing Original Screenplay (Robert Towne). It was nominated for Best Director and Best Picture, but lost to “The Godfather”.
It has been ranked among the greatest films ever made in critics’ polls conducted by “Sight & Sound”, “Time” magazine, BBC Films and others. In 1998 it was deemed “culturally, historically or aesthetically significant” by the United States Library of Congress and selected for preservation in the National Film Registry.
“Chinatown” is often considered one of director Roman Polanski’s best works; critic Roger Ebert praised it as “one of those rare movies that are so good they change your life.”
Overall Reviews
This film is one of the greatest movies in history. It has won an Academy Award for Best Picture and it also received two Golden Globes. The plot of this movie revolves around a young girl who loses her father, leaves New York City and goes to San Francisco Chinatown. She wants to find him because she believes he is alive and that he left her money before his death.
The movie starts with Dinah (Julie Christie) losing her dad who was a lawyer in New York City. She goes to Chinatown after finding out that her dad has been hiding his inheritance from her since she was born. Her search leads her to several characters including Jake Gittes (Jack Nicholson), Preston Sturges (Henry Silva), Lieutenant Governor James Fong (Philip Ahn) and even Frank Capra himself!
Audience Analysis
Audience Reviews of Chinatown (1974) Movie is : 4.2/10
Movie Review of Chinatown (1974) Movie on imdb.com
Director: Roman Polanski Cast: Faye Dunaway, John Huston, Peter Sellers Release Date: December 25, 1974 Genre(s): Crime, Drama Rating: R Runtime: 118 min Language: English Budget: $18 Million Box Office Grosses : $22.8 Million.
Critic’s Analysis
Critic’s Reviews of Chinatown (1974) Movie:
“Chinatown is a 1974 neo-noir mystery film directed by Roman Polanski. The screenplay by Robert Towne was based on the novel The Gold Rush by William F. Buckley, Jr.. It stars Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway, John Huston and Rossano Brazzi.”
The Film Critics’ Ratings are as follows:
Rating: ***** 5/5 Stars
Movie Review By “Dewan Razak”: This movie is about two cops who investigate some murders that take place in Chinatown, LA. Their investigation leads them to discover some hidden truths behind the murders
Conclusion
Chinatown is a crime and detective movie which is based on the Chinatowns that were in use in the United States in the late 1940s, on how the immigrant Chinese community and their children were affected by the widespread anti-communism of the time and how they were discriminated against. Set during the 1940s, which only lasted for four years, this story follows a detective who has been hired by a wealthy businessman to track down his daughter, who fled from him and traveled to New York City with a Chinese man.
FAQs
What Is the Story of the Movie Chinatown?
The story of the movie Chinatown is about two cops, Jerry Wooters and Evelyn Mulwray, who are investigating some murders that take place in Chinatown. Their investigation leads them to discover some hidden truths behind the murders.
Is Chinatown 1974 a Good Movie?
This is a classic, it’s one of the best movies ever made. This movie was based on true events that took place in New York City and all over the world. It won Oscars for Best Director (Elia Kazan) and Best Supporting Actor (Jack Nicholson). I don’t know why this movie doesn’t get talked about more but it should be watched by everyone.
What Does Chinatown Symbolize in the Movie?
The Chinatown symbolizes the community of Chinese immigrants in New York City. In the movie, an entire neighborhood is being demolished and replaced with a new development that is to be controlled by a family business called, “The Committee”. The Committee wants to take over all the properties in Chinatown for their own personal gain and use them as leverage against the family owned businesses.
What Is Your Review of Chinatown (1974 Film)?
I have always loved films that explore the dark side of human nature. This film is one such film. The story revolves around the activities of a family in Chinatown, New York, USA during the 1930s.
The movie depicts the vice and corruption that is rampant in this part of town and how law enforcement turns a blind eye to these things because it benefits them as well. It shows how some people live off their criminal ways for generations and thrive on it like there’s no tomorrow. The characters are brilliantly portrayed by John Carradine, Karen Black, Jack Soo and Joe Turkel among others who give memorable performances which will keep you glued to your seat till the end!
Who Are the Main Characters in Chinatown?
The main characters in Chinatown are Jake Gittes, Evelyn Mulwray, Johnny Lee and Raymond Chow.
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