Advanced Search Beta »
Basic Search Fields
Chinatown
Metascore
86 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 10 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
view
per page
  1. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    100
    [Nicholson's] performance is key in keeping Chinatown from becoming just a genre crime picture--that, and a Robert Towne screenplay that evokes an older Los Angeles, a small city in a large desert.
  2. ReelViews
    Reviewed by: James Berardinelli
    100
    A nearly flawless example of movie composition, with close examination revealing how carefully it was put together. For those who take a less studious and more visceral approach to movie viewing, it's also worth noting that Chinatown is a superior thriller - one that will keep viewers involved and "in the moment" until the final, mournful scene has come to a conclusion.
  3. TV Guide
    Reviewed by: Staff (Not Credited)
    100
    A wonderfully brooding, suspenseful revisitation of the land of film noir, Chinatown is not only one of the greatest detective films, but one of the most perfectly constructed of all films.
  4. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Ty Burr
    100
    But it's Polanski who pries the genre open until it goes metaphysical.
  5. Salon.com
    Reviewed by: Andrew O'Hehir
    100
    But the greatness of Chinatown, unappreciated by my adolescent self, lies not in its cynical view of the California dream (that's too easy) but in its fatalistic, even tragic conception of America and indeed of human nature.
  6. Variety
    Reviewed by: Staff (Not Credited)
    100
    An outstanding picture.
  7. Village Voice
    Reviewed by: Jessica Winter
    80
    In 1974 a director, a screenwriter, and a producer (Robert Evans, who for once deserves a few of the plaudits he's apportioned himself) could decide to beat a genre senseless and then dump it in the wilds of Greek tragedy. [Review of August 8, 2003 re-release]
  8. Chicago Reader
    Reviewed by: Don Druker
    80
    A bit abstract, though gorgeously shot (by John Alonzo) and cleverly plotted (by Robert Towne), Polanski's film suggests that the rules of the game are written in some strange, untranslatable language, and that everyone's an alien and, ultimately, a victim.
  9. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Vincent Canby
    70
    Mr. Polanski and Mr. Towne attempted nothing so witty and entertaining, being content instead to make a competently stylish, more or less thirites-ish movie that continually made me wish I were back seeing "The Maltese Falcon" or "The Big Sleep." Others may not be as finicky. [21 June 1974]
    All this critic's reviews
  10. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Gene Siskel
    63
    As much as I admire the work of both (Roman) Polanski and (Jack) Nicholson, I found Chinatown tedious from beginning to just before the end. [15 July 1974]
    All this critic's reviews
prev next
Page:
  • 1

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
9.2 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 59 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. grandpajoe6191
    8
    I enjoyed Jack Nicholson's slow yet piercing performance as well as the cinematography, However what makes this one stand amongst other movies is Roman Polanski. His humor-full, danger-full, masterful direction hits the jack pot.… Full Review »
  2. camdenl
    10
    The last stand of film noir.... in color.
  3. j30
    10
    This neo-noir, old school movie rocks. The masterful Roman Polanski directs this powerhouse of a movie with Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway are at their best. I can't recommend this movie enough.… Full Review »
See all user reviews »