AFI (2007) • AFI-021
Chinatown
1974 • Roman Polanski
AVAILABLE EDITIONS
Physical
ABOUT THIS FILM
RUNTIME
130 min
FAMOUS QUOTE
“Forget it, Jake, it's Chinatown.”
Roman Polanski’s neo-noir mystery follows private detective Jake Gittes as he takes what appears to be a routine adultery case in 1930s Los Angeles. The investigation quickly unravels into a far-reaching conspiracy involving water rights, political corruption, and the disturbing secrets of a powerful family. Jack Nicholson’s performance as the sharp but increasingly overwhelmed Gittes anchors the film, while Robert Towne’s Oscar-winning screenplay builds a layered puzzle of deception and moral ambiguity. Polanski evokes the atmosphere of classic film noir while pushing the genre toward a darker, more cynical vision. With its haunting final line and bleak conclusion, Chinatown remains one of the most powerful detective stories ever filmed.
Why it matters
- Chinatown revived the film noir tradition for the 1970s, blending classic detective storytelling with a darker, more cynical view of power and corruption.
- Robert Towne’s intricate screenplay is widely regarded as one of the greatest ever written, carefully layering mystery, character, and theme.
- Its bleak ending and moral ambiguity helped redefine what audiences expected from detective and crime films.
Watch for
- Jack Nicholson’s performance as Jake Gittes, whose confidence gradually gives way to confusion and helplessness.
- The film’s careful use of point-of-view storytelling, where the audience only learns what Gittes discovers.
- Subtle visual clues and dialogue that slowly reveal the deeper conspiracy behind the water scandal.
- The devastating final sequence in Chinatown, where the film’s themes of power and inevitability reach their tragic conclusion.
Vibe
Neo-Noir MysteryCorruption & PowerPolitical ConspiracyUrban NoirMoral AmbiguityTragic RevelationPrivate Detective StoryFatalismShadowy SecretsClassic Neo-Noir
AFI RANK
1998: #19
2007: #21
▼Moved down 2 spots