MovieChat Forums > Chinatown (1974) Discussion > ''Screwing like a Chinaman'' story

''Screwing like a Chinaman'' story

posted 8 years ago by CalibMcBolts
6 replies | jump to latest

The ''Screwing like a Chinaman'' story beautifully told by Nicholson, is my favorite scene in the entire film, it's one of the best pieces of comedy in any film, period.

I've watched that scene alone probably 200 times, and it makes me laugh out loud SOO hard, every time.

The enthousiasm in Gittes, the camerawork, the editing, the writing of the joke itself, the maniacal laugh at the end, Gittes' baffled face as he turns around.

Comedic genius.

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[–] wiiztec (258) 3 years ago

I didn't get it

[–] Ace_Spade (9577) 3 years ago

The man in the joke's wife knows what a Chinese guy screws like, so she's obviously been cheating on the husband with a Chinese fellah (or, at least one). It's racy and a bit racist, too, but that makes it all the funnier to me when Jake tells the joke and turns around to see his captive audience.

[–] ecarle (14979) 3 years ago

I like how his two partners freeze up and struggle in their faces as he tells the joke -- THEY know Evelyn Mulwray is right behind him, HE doesn't. But they don't have the cajones to stop him.

And of course, the joke "ties in" to the title and the themes of the picture. Good organic screenwriting.

[–] Ace_Spade (9577) 3 years ago

The best part of that, for me, is how they do try to politely interject, but they don't have the stones or the authority to cut in on their boss, so they eventually just give up and let him hang himself, knowing that Jake will realize later what they were trying to tell him. "Shut up, Duffy; you're always in a hurry. And his friend says..."

Towne's script is one of the best scripts of all-time, hands-down.

[–] Information-Police (4890) 2 years ago

I think they didn't mind setting their boss get red-faced

[–] Ace_Spade (9577) 2 years ago

Probably not, but they also feel embarrassed by association, I'm guessing. Plus, they know that if they don't try to stop him, they'll be in trouble later. But, yeah, they probably had a good laugh at Jake's expense at a bar later.