Chinatown - Exploring The Greatest Screenplay of All Time

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  • čas přidán 10. 08. 2018
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Komentáře • 689

  • @mitchellphillips4691
    @mitchellphillips4691 Před 3 lety +596

    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.

    • @sameerhafeez7029
      @sameerhafeez7029 Před 2 lety +1

      Couldn't agree more

    • @constantreader8760
      @constantreader8760 Před 2 lety +15

      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.

    • @ennuied
      @ennuied Před 2 lety +1

      Oily. Like the Machinist.

    • @lonoarchambault8509
      @lonoarchambault8509 Před 2 lety +9

      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.

    • @CaptVanO
      @CaptVanO Před 2 lety

      It is film noir after all.

  • @feliperodrigues2487
    @feliperodrigues2487 Před 3 lety +256

    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
      @jeffnicholas6342 Před 3 lety +6

      You ever notice that one detective shoots in the air while the other shoots at the car..?

    • @feliperodrigues2487
      @feliperodrigues2487 Před 3 lety +28

      @@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

    • @constantreader8760
      @constantreader8760 Před 2 lety +24

      @@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.

    • @jeffnicholas6342
      @jeffnicholas6342 Před 2 lety +7

      @@constantreader8760 that sequence of actions is so interesting.
      It seems as though there’s an invisible barrier between the authorities and their jurisdiction

    • @BriannadaSilva
      @BriannadaSilva Před 8 měsíci +1

      Didn't notice that detail... amazing catch!

  • @flaviocubas2003
    @flaviocubas2003 Před 5 lety +1298

    Just saw it, one of the most depressing endings to a movie, if not the most

    • @LoadPast
      @LoadPast Před 4 lety +144

      I've never felt shittier after watching a movie than chinatown

    • @RealJoshTv
      @RealJoshTv Před 4 lety +28

      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?

    • @dawsondjodvorj2408
      @dawsondjodvorj2408 Před 4 lety +223

      @@RealJoshTv reality my man, everything doesn't happen the way we want.

    • @TheAerovons
      @TheAerovons Před 4 lety +76

      @@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

    • @mrmogford8117
      @mrmogford8117 Před 4 lety +4

      Flavio Cubas I recommend you watch the film ‘Dead mans shoes’ ... I was left crippled after it

  • @anujaymishra5525
    @anujaymishra5525 Před 5 lety +364

    "Forget it Jake,its Chinatown."

    • @liamobrien1085
      @liamobrien1085 Před 4 lety +19

      anujay mishra “Forget it, Jake. It’s Chinatown” punctuation is important

    • @craydogdog1530
      @craydogdog1530 Před 3 lety +3

      @@liamobrien1085 English ain't my first language, so would you be able to tell me why there's a comma after Jake?

    • @Kaz70009
      @Kaz70009 Před 3 lety +4

      One of the most heartbreaking lines in the history of cinema.

    • @justmyview2423
      @justmyview2423 Před 3 lety +4

      I didn't understand
      What does this line implies in movie?

    • @shrapnel_studios2759
      @shrapnel_studios2759 Před 3 lety +14

      @@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

  • @89Awww
    @89Awww Před 5 lety +849

    If it weren't for The Godfather Part II, Chinatown totally would've won Best Picture.

    • @williambyrne5513
      @williambyrne5513 Před 4 lety +48

      thats the most unfortunate thing that could of happened

    • @stevemcnary7963
      @stevemcnary7963 Před 4 lety +68

      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!!!!

    • @randywhite3947
      @randywhite3947 Před 4 lety +11

      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
      @veronicaaccouche1478 Před 4 lety +2

      They are equally as good. Shame they couldn't have awarded both.

    • @TheAerovons
      @TheAerovons Před 4 lety +15

      @@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.

  • @randywhite3947
    @randywhite3947 Před 3 lety +400

    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

    • @joonaslehtonen7965
      @joonaslehtonen7965 Před 3 lety +34

      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.

    • @randywhite3947
      @randywhite3947 Před 3 lety +12

      @@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

    • @joonaslehtonen7965
      @joonaslehtonen7965 Před 3 lety +2

      Well thats allways debatable. And to that other guestion: That too is allways debatable.

    • @tommybare7570
      @tommybare7570 Před 3 lety +11

      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

    • @Glory-Compass
      @Glory-Compass Před 3 lety +4

      You Can Make a Case that Jack Nicholson is the Best Actor of All-Time

  • @johanneslundie
    @johanneslundie Před 4 lety +123

    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

  • @leonspanish
    @leonspanish Před 5 lety +520

    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

    • @JacksMovieReviews
      @JacksMovieReviews  Před 5 lety +33

      I tried not to reveal the wrist in case people haven't seen it

    • @TheXBRGUY
      @TheXBRGUY Před 5 lety +2

      Thank you, I haven't!

    • @Jck747
      @Jck747 Před 5 lety +1

      Sequojah O'Neal the movie is the journey, not some gotcha at the end imo

    • @leonspanish
      @leonspanish Před 5 lety

      Jck747 I completely agree and it’s a fantastic journey at that

    • @saintsr0w1
      @saintsr0w1 Před 4 lety

      Sequojah O'Neal "As little as possible."

  • @constantreader8760
    @constantreader8760 Před 3 lety +108

    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.

    • @constantreader8760
      @constantreader8760 Před 3 lety +4

      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.

    • @paulryan2128
      @paulryan2128 Před 2 lety

      @@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!

  • @mooseclamps
    @mooseclamps Před 2 lety +34

    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.

  • @filmreviewgerman9519
    @filmreviewgerman9519 Před 5 lety +422

    Chinatown is one of my favourite movies of all time

    • @major_lag2643
      @major_lag2643 Před 5 lety +3

      Why tho? the ending was terrible

    • @coolbits2235
      @coolbits2235 Před 5 lety +4

      Mine too

    • @user-lx7sg8ks7b
      @user-lx7sg8ks7b Před 4 lety +33

      @@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
      @major_lag2643 Před 4 lety

      Η Μαγεια Του Κινηματογραφου everyone says it’s great but no one can give a legitimate explanation.

    • @stevemcnary7963
      @stevemcnary7963 Před 4 lety +18

      @@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.

  • @connormensch7067
    @connormensch7067 Před 5 lety +198

    What a coincidence. I watched this movie for the first time yesterday. Great movie

    • @CalebePriester
      @CalebePriester Před 5 lety +14

      It was no coincidence... The logarithm has you, they are watching our every move, especially on the internet...

    • @SugamaSubhavitha
      @SugamaSubhavitha Před 5 lety +1

      i strongly recommend you to watch it a couple of mere times. come up with the results

    • @CaptainSoftboy501
      @CaptainSoftboy501 Před 4 lety +3

      I watched it for the first time today :'D

    • @dogeboi6094
      @dogeboi6094 Před 10 měsíci +2

      @@CalebePriester "logarithm" lmao

    • @CalebePriester
      @CalebePriester Před 10 měsíci

      @@dogeboi6094 lol

  • @andrewbwsmith8201
    @andrewbwsmith8201 Před rokem +23

    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.

    • @cokonutraw8800
      @cokonutraw8800 Před 9 měsíci

      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.

  • @danielokhomina3654
    @danielokhomina3654 Před 5 lety +200

    A masterpiece; easily one of the greatest films of all time

  • @MrRhmccabe
    @MrRhmccabe Před 5 lety +126

    Greatest film ever made....Curly is my neighbor,see him everyday....great guy.

    • @Boro87
      @Boro87 Před 4 lety +8

      he's also a very greesy gangster in once upon a time of america i think

    • @wonderboytroy7484
      @wonderboytroy7484 Před 4 lety +23

      And Paulie from Rocky!!

    • @illz47
      @illz47 Před 4 lety +9

      And Bacala Sr. in The Sopranos!

    • @whizkybent
      @whizkybent Před 3 lety +2

      And soldier in walker Texas ranger

    • @constantreader8760
      @constantreader8760 Před 3 lety +2

      Except when he blackens his wife's eye.

  • @200128
    @200128 Před 3 lety +40

    "The future, Mr. Gittes, the future": A great line for the master-genius.director JOHN HUSTON.

    • @constantreader8760
      @constantreader8760 Před 3 lety

      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.

    • @ranilpeiris1929
      @ranilpeiris1929 Před 3 lety

      Yes...a memorable quote

    • @Squarian33
      @Squarian33 Před 3 lety +7

      @@constantreader8760 sure guy.

    • @BluesImprov
      @BluesImprov Před 3 lety +4

      @@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!

    • @constantreader8760
      @constantreader8760 Před 2 lety

      @@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!

  • @BlueBeeThemeMusic
    @BlueBeeThemeMusic Před rokem +10

    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.

  • @saiyajinslayer
    @saiyajinslayer Před 4 lety +40

    I watched it for the first time today and it really killed me. Had no idea it was gonna be like that

  • @ivorwm2291
    @ivorwm2291 Před 4 lety +56

    From the beginning notes of the soundtrack, I am swallowed by the movie

    • @TheAerovons
      @TheAerovons Před 4 lety +7

      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.

  • @CranesNotSkyHooks
    @CranesNotSkyHooks Před 5 lety +28

    "Well to you the truth I lied a little." My favorite movie

  • @RichardCockerill
    @RichardCockerill Před 5 lety +101

    i agree with everything you said,also i personally believe it was Nicholson's best performance

  • @erubin100
    @erubin100 Před 2 lety +9

    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.

  • @encinobalboa
    @encinobalboa Před 6 měsíci +3

    Chinatown was story and character driven. Direction, cinematography and soundtrack were perfection. It all came together in this picture.

  • @MoonPieCancer3754
    @MoonPieCancer3754 Před 2 lety +6

    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.

  • @nanasshi0711
    @nanasshi0711 Před 4 lety +30

    yes, i love films that don't waste any moments thus making them a very effective story tellings

  • @dasc0yne
    @dasc0yne Před 3 dny

    What makes the screenplay so brilliant is how much the dialogue communicates, through subtext, about characters, backstories, settings, and themes. There is absolutely no fat in this screenplay.

  • @susankennedy5739
    @susankennedy5739 Před 3 lety +18

    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.

    • @bkynbiker19
      @bkynbiker19 Před 3 lety +2

      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

  • @Jeph629
    @Jeph629 Před 3 lety +8

    Every time I watch it, it blows me away a little more.

  • @ciaranscanlon3555
    @ciaranscanlon3555 Před 3 lety +59

    Not to mention this movie looks F A N T A S T I C

    • @anitasmith4559
      @anitasmith4559 Před měsícem +1

      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.

  • @danielsmith3796
    @danielsmith3796 Před 3 lety +13

    "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!

  • @CVerse
    @CVerse Před 3 lety +12

    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

  • @austins.2495
    @austins.2495 Před 2 měsíci +1

    Great video, my man. Just watched this film for the first time today, and was blown away. Gotta love good cinema

  • @philipgior3312
    @philipgior3312 Před 4 lety +7

    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.

  • @ernestolombardo5811
    @ernestolombardo5811 Před 3 lety +6

    Every few years I watch this movie. Every time I watch it it gets better. And it was sensational the first time.

  • @fenster_fallbeil
    @fenster_fallbeil Před rokem +3

    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...

  • @franksantacruz4521
    @franksantacruz4521 Před 6 měsíci +2

    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.

  • @JohnStewart-bk6uz
    @JohnStewart-bk6uz Před 4 lety +26

    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.

    • @rayfinkle9369
      @rayfinkle9369 Před 7 měsíci +1

      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),

    • @randywhite3947
      @randywhite3947 Před 6 měsíci

      It’s noir

  • @oliveribasta5929
    @oliveribasta5929 Před 5 lety +45

    Can't wait for review of "House That Jack Built" in "Jack's Movie Reviews"

  • @CoinOpTV
    @CoinOpTV Před 5 lety +87

    classic flick

    • @JacksMovieReviews
      @JacksMovieReviews  Před 5 lety +4

      One of the best!

    • @avanishdutta2658
      @avanishdutta2658 Před 3 lety +1

      @@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.

  • @wolfganghasenmaier8350
    @wolfganghasenmaier8350 Před 2 lety +17

    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 ...

    • @OWlsfordshire
      @OWlsfordshire Před 3 měsíci

      You don't feel any guilt spying on people for powerful clients?

    • @wolfganghasenmaier8350
      @wolfganghasenmaier8350 Před 3 měsíci

      You don`t feel any guilt not helping victims of crime and instead having super bad judgement on those who do? @@OWlsfordshire

  • @CodyDaCoyote
    @CodyDaCoyote Před 7 měsíci +1

    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

  • @danielcuevas6978
    @danielcuevas6978 Před 5 lety +5

    I never thought that non-horror movie could give me nightmares at this age.

  • @skylarelizabeth4092
    @skylarelizabeth4092 Před 5 lety +16

    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

  • @gageperuti5519
    @gageperuti5519 Před 2 lety +5

    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.

  • @sdawg4834
    @sdawg4834 Před 4 lety +4

    Chinatown and The Two Jakes are among my favorite movies. I love the furniture in Jakes office and the whole 50's modern style

  • @liberprimus6874
    @liberprimus6874 Před 5 lety +11

    One of my favorite films. Great analysis.

  • @johnathonhaney8291
    @johnathonhaney8291 Před 5 lety +55

    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.

  • @mac2phin
    @mac2phin Před 4 lety +14

    Network is pretty high up there, too, Jack.

  • @harmonyjones8035
    @harmonyjones8035 Před 5 lety +13

    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 :)

  • @matthewhartman6377
    @matthewhartman6377 Před 5 lety +2

    Just hearing the theme played throughout the video made me go and watch the movie again.

  • @steveflor9942
    @steveflor9942 Před rokem +2

    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.....

  • @claytoncaple
    @claytoncaple Před 5 lety +2

    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

  • @montywoodside
    @montywoodside Před 5 lety +2

    VERY underrated channel! Keep up the work and also loved the movie!

  • @jimmyl324
    @jimmyl324 Před 5 lety +4

    One of my favorite movies of all

  • @Wolfe-zl4ld
    @Wolfe-zl4ld Před 5 lety +34

    A top 5 favorite film of all time for me.

    • @jopvos9242
      @jopvos9242 Před 5 lety +6

      Top 3 for me.

    • @randywhite3947
      @randywhite3947 Před 4 lety +1

      Wolfe 123 in my top ten

    • @priuskiller
      @priuskiller Před 3 lety +1

      It's my favorite as of this comment. I have no idea what will top it but it better be pretty damn special.

  • @eligrivrerref
    @eligrivrerref Před 5 lety +24

    My favorite youtube channel uploading an analysis of my third favorite movie of all time !You made my day.

    • @cyruskeane
      @cyruskeane Před 5 lety +1

      whats your first favourite movie?

    • @eligrivrerref
      @eligrivrerref Před 5 lety +2

      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 ? ;)

    • @mrfunball5204
      @mrfunball5204 Před 5 lety

      Chinatown. Blade runner. Body heat. Chitty chitty bang bang

    • @cyruskeane
      @cyruskeane Před 5 lety +1

      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

    • @eligrivrerref
      @eligrivrerref Před 5 lety +2

      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.

  • @ellottelim360
    @ellottelim360 Před 4 lety +12

    Yes it's one of the best films in my book.

  • @tkmariner
    @tkmariner Před 5 lety +12

    Yes. Greatest story and screenplay of all time. If only even a remotely same goodness of a screenplay was written...

  • @infernobear1
    @infernobear1 Před 5 lety +5

    14 patrons now, Jack :) you deserve it!

  • @kennedydiamond4684
    @kennedydiamond4684 Před 4 lety +3

    I love how you used the movie commentary with David FIncher and Robert Towne!

  • @KBrianO
    @KBrianO Před 4 lety +5

    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.

  • @ranilpeiris1929
    @ranilpeiris1929 Před 3 lety +2

    A great detective story with an unexpected twist in the end.
    Jack N and Faye D are fantasticp

    • @ranilpeiris1929
      @ranilpeiris1929 Před 3 lety

      Very few people are aware that there is a little known Part 2 of Chinatown by another name

  • @yodenheim647
    @yodenheim647 Před rokem +1

    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.

  • @WhineNot
    @WhineNot Před 2 měsíci

    And Jack is in every scene.

  • @baxtermaxtor
    @baxtermaxtor Před 5 lety +6

    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.

  • @ranilpeiris1929
    @ranilpeiris1929 Před 3 lety +2

    A great movie by one of the greatest Directors

  • @ianbauer4703
    @ianbauer4703 Před 5 lety

    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.

  • @johnwhite7219
    @johnwhite7219 Před 3 lety +3

    Watching Chinatown makes me want to drink scotch, smoke unfiltered cigarettes and cry. What a great film.

  • @smileyspoon1
    @smileyspoon1 Před 3 lety

    I recently watched movie and definitely going to be a favorite going forward. Also need to watch it a few more times

  • @lsunationalchamps08
    @lsunationalchamps08 Před 5 lety

    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

  • @truefilm1556
    @truefilm1556 Před 5 lety +41

    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.

    • @JacksMovieReviews
      @JacksMovieReviews  Před 5 lety +3

      It really is well done and helped to pave the path for a lot of future noir.

    • @truefilm1556
      @truefilm1556 Před 5 lety

      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.

    • @franksocha643
      @franksocha643 Před 5 lety +1

      You could add Body Heat 1981

    • @truefilm1556
      @truefilm1556 Před 5 lety

      Well I did in my reply :-)

    • @anitasmith4559
      @anitasmith4559 Před 5 lety +1

      The cinematography in "Chinatown" is breathtaking. I have never seen anything like it. The glowing tones belie the undercurrent of absolute human rot.

  • @phillipleconte3715
    @phillipleconte3715 Před 5 lety

    This is terrific. Thanks.

  • @ladies_man217.
    @ladies_man217. Před 3 lety +1

    I loooovve Chinatown. It’s one of my favourites.

  • @lewistyler462
    @lewistyler462 Před 2 lety

    Bravo Jack. When you're right, you're right and you're right.

  • @DallyLama93
    @DallyLama93 Před 3 lety +1

    The soundtrack is so good in this movie

  • @mobiuspaw494
    @mobiuspaw494 Před 11 měsíci

    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.

  • @bolokangmpoma
    @bolokangmpoma Před 5 lety

    Nice video, been following this channel love their videos. So inspired to upload more videos on my own channel.

  • @TheKeithvidz
    @TheKeithvidz Před 5 lety +1

    Haven't remembered really seeing it. But I saved a link and will add this one to research for my own Noir.

  • @nautaki
    @nautaki Před 4 lety

    Phenomenal movie. All characters are brilliantly played by all actors. Very dark.

  • @EMursw
    @EMursw Před 5 lety +1

    Wow some amazing insights

  • @JonathanPoto
    @JonathanPoto Před 3 lety

    Such a great LA film. Hits on the hollowness behind the curtain of the manicured mansions and pristine drives, sunsets, and beaches.

    • @jeffnicholas6342
      @jeffnicholas6342 Před 3 lety

      It’s all in the background...the water...the incest...what boils beneath the surface of authority and its corrupt officials?

  • @mikethaison432
    @mikethaison432 Před rokem +1

    Chinatown is the sad reality. The truth is that no matter how brave, charismatic, or strong you are unless you have incredible amounts of fame and power you can't make any real change. At the end of the day most people are cowards like Escobar. Even if you respect them and see them as brave and honest they get into line when they are told to. We expect people to be better than they are. Honestly, I wish I had seen this movie sooner, could have avoided a lot of mistakes. The only thing being brave does is put a target on your back.

  • @TheNavyboy333
    @TheNavyboy333 Před 5 lety +1

    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

    • @TheNavyboy333
      @TheNavyboy333 Před 5 lety +1

      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

  • @ak-vk3gd
    @ak-vk3gd Před rokem +1

    I really thought after incendies and oldboy no other film can shock me
    I was dead wrong

  • @nathifawaziri8664
    @nathifawaziri8664 Před 5 měsíci +1

    Just watched this movie from beginning to end on Netflix. My thoughts are that Jakes God complex got Faye’ Dunway’s character killed and her daughter possibly subjugated to a tortured life. I don’t know if he really wanted to find justice or if he needed to satisfy his ego of being the savior. He is ultimately responsible for leading the police and the father to them. He could’ve really taken the higher road by letting her get away but his pursuit of money and acknowledgment led him to their deaths. There is no redemption for anyone in this story. Which makes it sad but fascinating.

  • @coolbits2235
    @coolbits2235 Před 5 lety

    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]

  • @Quagula
    @Quagula Před 2 lety

    Just saw it. Soooo good

  • @richardtaylor5394
    @richardtaylor5394 Před 4 lety

    Can't argue with you on this

  • @collinmiller4721
    @collinmiller4721 Před 3 lety +1

    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.

    • @mitchellphillips4691
      @mitchellphillips4691 Před 3 lety

      It kinda reminds me of a more complex gone girl. Whenever you get a new piece of info it changes your entire outlook

    • @MarcosElMalo2
      @MarcosElMalo2 Před 2 lety

      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.

  • @ryangreen2469
    @ryangreen2469 Před 4 lety +1

    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.

  • @perfumediscoverychannel756

    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.

  • @roman-cq1si
    @roman-cq1si Před 3 lety

    Great Video.
    I loved the movie btw :)

  • @FlymanMS
    @FlymanMS Před 5 lety

    Patreon is the best sponsor.

  • @ranilpeiris1929
    @ranilpeiris1929 Před 3 lety +3

    Few people know that there is a sequel to this great movie.
    It is called 'The Two Jakes'

    • @shrimpflea
      @shrimpflea Před 3 lety +2

      Unfortunately that one is not very good.

  • @nicholas4727
    @nicholas4727 Před 5 lety

    Just recently rewatched Chinatown, I had forgotten how fucking great that movie is

  • @tiffanydawncelmar5696
    @tiffanydawncelmar5696 Před 9 měsíci

    This was so underrated!

  • @vincentsaia6545
    @vincentsaia6545 Před 3 lety +4

    You might want to indicate it's Robert Towne's voice when you play it, Jack.

  • @harpgal9950
    @harpgal9950 Před rokem

    I'm in agreement - excellent in every way, including the perfect score by Jerry Goldsmith.

  • @joemoloney
    @joemoloney Před 5 lety

    Great channel

  • @samakolBanbol
    @samakolBanbol Před rokem

    Watched it last night!!! Still sad!!