You Can't Escape Chinatown's Dark Ending

The movie “Chinatown” portrays that occasionally, the real world can have incredibly bleak conclusions which retain the ability to startle. Directed by Roman Polanski and scripted by Robert Towne, “Chinatown” offers a distinctive take on detective stories from the 1940s, adding a much more somber tone than what was usually permitted during that period. This film was highly acclaimed, garnering numerous awards, such as eleven Oscar nominations, one for Best Picture, and it made it onto the AFI’s 100 Greatest Films list in both 1998 and 2007.

As a passionate cinephile, I’d like to share my thoughts on the 1937 masterpiece, “Chinatown.” This film takes me on a gripping journey through the unincorporated valley region of Los Angeles, where private detective Jake Gittes, portrayed brilliantly by Jack Nicholson, delves into a web of mysteries surrounding water and land deals. Though inspired by real-life events, the intricate plot and heart-wrenching ending were crafted solely for this movie. The film skillfully ties up its narrative threads by its poignant finale, yet doesn’t shy away from harsh truths or leaving some enigmatic clues behind. At its core, “Chinatown” is a profound tragedy, and that’s one reason it continues to captivate audiences even today.

What Happens In Chinatown’s Ending?

Cracking The Case Doesn’t Bring Peace For Jake Gittes

In the final scenes of “Chinatown”, detective Jake Gittes unravels the intricate web of deceit woven by Noah Cross (John Huston). He learns that it was Cross who orchestrated the murder of Hollis Mulwray (Darrell Zwerling) and also played a part in the death of Ida Sessions. As the story reaches one of the most unexpected twists in film noir history, Jake tries to aid Hollis’s wife, Evelyn Mulwray (Faye Dunaway), and her daughter, Kathrine (Belinda Palmer), in their escape back to Mexico. Unfortunately, his efforts are thwarted when he gets apprehended by Cross. Later, Cross discloses his scheme and compels Jake to confront Evelyn in Chinatown.

In the heart of Los Angeles’ Chinatown district, Jake is swiftly apprehended by cops, who seem to be working with Cross, as the powerful landowner moves to conclude matters by seizing Katherine and Evelyn. In a moment of desperation, Evelyn fires at Cross, wounding him in the arm, and attempts to flee with her daughter. However, she is cut down by the officers present. In the end, Cross manages to escape, gaining custody of Katherine after falsely claiming to be her grandfather, leaving Jake powerless to intervene.

Cross Killed Mulwray & Ida Sessions To Silence Them

The Murders In Chinatown Happened To Facilitate Shady Corporate Dealings

As a movie buff, I’d put it this way: The demise of Hollis Mulwray in “Chinatown” ignites the plot like a match to gunpowder, sending me, Jake Gittes, spiraling down a murky path that ultimately leads to the climax. Mulwray’s ties to the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power made him an ideal partner for Noah Cross in business deals, but their clash proves fatal. When Mulwray refused to construct another dam, Cross decided to silence him permanently. Mulwray’s union with Cross’s daughter, Evelyn, meant little to the ruthless tycoon, and he exploited this connection to seize custody of his younger daughter, Katherine.

In a classic film noir manner, Ida Sessions was enlisted by Cross to impersonate Evelyn with an intention to smear Mulwray’s reputation. The objective was to portray him as unfaithful, ultimately making his demise appear self-inflicted. However, Ida’s usefulness to Cross came to an end when she informed Jake about Cross’ retirement home scheme, leading to her own untimely death at the hands of Cross. While Chinatown is renowned for its exceptional screenplay and direction, one question left unanswered is how exactly Ida discovered the details of the retirement home scam in the film itself.

Evelyn Was Katherine’s Mother & Sister

The Chinatown Incest Twist Explained

In film noir, murder and mystery are frequent themes, but what sets Chinatown apart is its bleak tone, reflective of the top films from the 1970s. The character Katherine inhabits the periphery of the narrative, and Jake initially suspects she’s being held hostage by Evelyn, only to later discover a shocking revelation. Evelyn alters her tale, switching from asserting that Katherine is her sister to revealing that Katherine is actually her daughter.

Under increasing scrutiny from a frustrated investigator, Evelyn eventually admits that Katherine is both her sister and her own child. This unique relationship arises from an unfortunate incident in which their father sexually assaulted Evelyn when she was just 15 years old.

What Does Chinatown’s Final Line Mean?

One Of The Movie’s Most Iconic Quotes Sums Up Its Core Themes

After observing the ruthless killing of Evelyn and watching Katherine being taken by Cross, Jake is informed to “let it go…it’s Chinatown,” which leaves him speechless with shock. This famous scene from a classic movie not only encapsulates its climactic moment but also symbolizes the film’s conclusion. Prior to this, Jake mentions that when he used to work for the district attorney in Chinatown, he was instructed to “do as little as possible“, suggesting that he had been advised to turn a blind eye to corruption to avoid complications. Jake eventually understands that his lenient attitude towards corruption results in Cross’s rise to power and the tragic events portrayed in the movie.

Setting the narrative of “Chinatown” in the 1930s allowed the story to reflect the political parallels between that era and its release in the 1970s. Furthermore, it paid homage to classic private investigator tales. In this story, Evelyn’s butler resides in Chinatown, believing the district’s anonymity would provide her protection. However, it turned out to be the ideal setting for Cross to carry out his nefarious plans. The phrase “It’s Chinatown” carries both a literal and metaphorical meaning: since Chinatown is predominantly populated by people of Asian descent, any instances of police brutality would likely go unnoticed or be overlooked by the majority population.

The Real Meaning Of Chinatown’s Ending

The Chinatown Finale Is About The Futility Of Fighting Corruption

The concluding scene of “Chinatown” may not be perplexing, but its starkness serves as a powerful artistic message. This film mirrors the somber atmosphere of the 1970s and shares a common trait with its contemporaries by offering a dismal perspective on reality. Much like other noir films, “Chinatown” maintains a gloomy and brooding tone, but it elevates these characteristics to unprecedented levels while retaining symbolic significance.

Following the spirit of the American New Wave cinema, the somber finale of Chinatown serves as a sweeping critique on the futility of challenging entrenched corruption, mirroring the political climate of the 1970s. Set in the 1930s though it may be, the film’s conclusion addresses contemporary concerns.

How The Chinatown Movie Ending Was Received

The Film Is Considered The Best Screenplay Ever Written

Chinatown remains one of the most highly esteemed films ever made. On Rotten Tomatoes, it boasts a 98% “fresh” rating from critics and a 93% approval from audiences. A recent viewer found that it remains relevant today, commenting, “The plot may be complex, but it’s not confusing; instead, it’s intricate and carefully woven… It tells a heart-wrenching story, and while it can sometimes drag, there’s no doubt that every film enthusiast should watch it.

While some viewers found the abrupt and shocking conclusion of the film unsatisfying, one Reddit user expressed concern about the film’s overall theme. They argued that the movie seemed to imply that change is impossible, which they deemed dangerous. The user wrote, “Sometimes a sad ending is fitting, but other times, I get a movie whose underlying message seems to be ‘You can’t fix things, so why even try.’ It’s those movies that really frustrate me.

For me, the conclusion of Chinatown isn’t about giving up. Instead, it serves as a warning against allowing corruption to reach such devastating levels. If we continue peddling ‘toxic positivity,’ we risk arming our audience with inadequate weapons to fight systemic corruption. To truly combat it, one must first embrace realism, and often, more than one person is needed to bring about change.

2025-04-27 17:20

You Can’t Escape Chinatown’s Dark Ending