Favorite Movies: Tania Raymonde Loves “Puzzle Box” Story of ‘Chinatown’

Tania Raymonde is known for her work on the TV series Lost and Goliath. She can also be seen as a detective in the off-beat and first rate thriller Walden. During the interview, she talked about why Chinatown is her favorite film of all time!

Directed by Roman Polanski and written by Robert Towne, Chinatown centers on J.J. Gittes (Jack Nicholson), a private eye who investigates a case of adultery. Gittes’ investigation leads to a world filled with corrupt power plays, lies, and murder! Faye Dunaway, John Huston and Polanski are part of this classic feature’s ensemble.

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Towne’s Chinatown script is one of Hollywood’s most revered and respected screenplays. If you know a thing or two about screenwriting, Chinatown is probably a part of your film library.

“In terms of film (that inspired me) to be an actor, it’s got to be Chinatown,” said Raymonde. “That’s like the best movie ever made in my opinion. It’s still my number one. It’s the movie my dad watched with me when I was a kid. He had really good taste in movies, and we love Roman Polanski. I think I must have been 12 years old when I first saw it.”

Being raised in Los Angeles, Raymonde’s choice of Chinatown is fitting. (it’s) a really great movie about Los Angeles,” added Raymonde. “I grew up here. I lived here my whole life. I love the kind of Raymond Chandler-esque film noir genre. I always have.  Even when I was young, I found it very glamorous. Jack Nicholson – we watched all of his movies, too, when I was a kid, and he’s just so perfect in that movie.”

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One must not forget Towne’s screenplay. “And the writing, the intrigue in that crazy puzzle box of a story that keeps unfolding, where you’re always just one step behind what’s really happening,” said Raymonde. “I like to like to read a lot, and it just followed the story so beautifully. (It has) the perfect rhythm and flow (for a) thriller.  If I’m perfectly honest. Yeah, that’s my number one. That’s the one I keep going back to always.”

Thanks to Hollywood Outbreak for sharing their interview with late producer Robert Evans, who reflected on Chinatown: “It doesn’t only stand up, it stands very tall.”

Raymonde’s full interview is below. Go to Just Watch to see where Chinatown is streaming and available for rental/purchase.

Walden, starring Emile Hirsch, Shane West, and Raymonde, is now available On Demand and Digital. If you rent/purchase Walden on Amazon, we receive a slight commission.

Our review of Walden (fyi, I love the movie) is up on CinemAddicts: