Bring on the tough stuff. There’s not just one right answer.
- What's motivating Jake to pursue the mystery and keep trying to solve it? Do his motives change throughout the course of the movie?
- Why's Noah Cross trying to steal and control the water in the L.A. area? Do his motives go beyond mere greed, or not?
- Does Jake make any mistakes? How could he have prevented Evelyn from reaching her unhappy ending?
- When Jake was working in Chinatown, what prevented him from being an effective cop (based on what he implies when talking to Evelyn)?
- Can you think of anything in current events similar to the "Water Wars"? Explain.
- What does the last line, "Forget it, Jake—it's Chinatown," mean?
- Do you think Noah Cross will really get away with his plan in the end? Explain why or why not.