L.A. Confidential
Directed by Curtis HansonAs corruption grows in 1950s Los Angeles, three policemen - one strait-laced, one brutal, and one sleazy - investigate a series of murders with their own brand of justice.
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L.A. Confidential Ratings & Reviews
- Tubeman72December 31, 2025Anyone who thinks that the sun-drenched glory days of 1950s Hollywood was all glitz and glamor will soon be disappointed in 'L.A. Confidential', when it turns out that beneath the shiny polished surface and the facade fanatically maintained by the major film studios is one big cesspool of corruption, prostitution, drug trafficking and murder. Sid Hudgens (Danny DeVito), the publisher of the scandal magazine “Hush-Hush”, introduces the film with a strong, cynical monologue. The ideal picture of healthy, loving families, orange trees, cheap housing and the dream factory of Hollywood is interspersed with authentic film recordings in which various stars make an appearance. But then the tone of the commentary changes and the dark side of Hollywood is shown: mafia boss Mickey Cohen and his accomplices, who seem to have a firm grip on organized crime in Los Angeles. But when Cohen (Paul Guilfoyle) goes to prison for tax evasion and his lieutenants are killed one by one, it turns out that there are more privateers on the coast, eager to grab a share of the lucrative and illegal trade. This is the background and the beginning of the film, which seamlessly blends fact and fiction (Cohen, for example, really existed). This mixture of reality and fantasy is well appreciated by thriller author James Ellroy, who wrote the book of the same name on which the film is based. Screenwriter Brian Helgeland adapted the almost 500-page novel together with director Hanson - and with great success. The complicated plot of the book may be somewhat simplified, but the duo knows how to present the various, apparently unrelated storylines with great bravado and conviction. The result is an intelligent and exciting thriller that keeps the viewer actively involved and at the same time on the edge of their seat. After introducing the main characters (all beautifully written scenes), the film picks up steam when a mass murder is committed in the “Nite Owl,” a dingy cafeteria. One of the victims is the recently fired officer Dick Stensland (Graham Beckel). Three police officers each for their own reasons delve into the case, which is more mysterious than it initially seems: Ed Exley, Bud White and Jack Vincennes. From that moment on, it becomes clear that “L.A. Confidential' is a film of exceptionally high class, which can compete with the greatest classics. The then virtually unknown Guy Pearce and Russell Crowe had the opportunity of a lifetime with beautiful and well-balanced roles. Pearce plays the ambitious and dutiful Edmund Exley, son of a renowned police officer, who is hated for his aggressive behavior, his cold arrogance and his refusal to go out of his way. Crowe is more or less his opposite as the hot-tempered officer Wendell “Bud” White, who sometimes plays his own judge to protect abused women and is used as a fool by his supervisor, Inspector Dudley Smith (James Cromwell). The trio of agents is completed by Kevin Spacey as the slightly shady detective Jack Vincennes. He is the technical advisor of the fictional TV show “Badge of Honor” (clearly based on the existing “Dragnet”), but at the same time acts as a tipster and corruptible partner of Sid Hudgens in order to entrap Hollywood actors with all kinds of drugs. The plot continues to expand when it turns out that the mysterious millionaire and financier Pierce Patchett (David Straithairn) also appears to have ties to one of the victims. Through him, Bud White ends up with the luxurious call girl Lynn Bracken (Kim Basinger), who works for a company that employs call girls who look like movie stars. For example, Bracken looks like Veronica Lake and there are many others like her. Exley, meanwhile, cannot get rid of the feeling that there is more to the case and Vincennes tries to correct a mistake that has been made, which has dire consequences for aspiring actor Matt Reynolds (Simon Baker). All these storylines turn out to be connected in one way or another, creating a very richly woven tapestry of human weaknesses and a variety of crimes. Everything about the film is right: the story is brilliant, the actors are all in top form, the decoration and the film noir setting are beautifully executed. Director Hanson manages to capture even the smallest moments in just the right way and the camera work of veteran Dante Spinotti captures the 1950s in his lenses. 'LA. Confidential' was nominated for no fewer than nine Oscars in 1998. Kim Basinger won a (deserved) Oscar for best supporting actress at the Academy Awards. Helgeland and Hanson also went home with a statuette for “best screenplay based on previously existing material”. Unfortunately, it was limited to these two Oscars. All other seven nominations were not cashed in: they went to that other film from 1997 about that boat and that iceberg. Or 'L.A. Confidential' was thus robbed has been discussed by film historians, connoisseurs and enthusiasts since the award ceremony itself. Not to mention that none of the male actors even got a nomination. Perhaps it had something to do with the fact that there were so many supporting and supportive male roles in the film. Award or not, “L.A. Confidential' is a film that is correct on all levels and is not without reason high on the lists of favorite films of connoisseurs. Not to be missed and a “must see” for every self-respecting film lover.
- AndreaMay 5, 2025My new favourite film, incredible in every aspect
- glosse93January 26, 2025Soooo well written, every actor was fantastic.
- GiantRabbitDecember 30, 2025Awesome
- Glen AbrahamNovember 16, 2025Never mind 'all star cast'. The plot, it's development, various foibles, result in a movie: a cut above ..
- George BananzaSeptember 27, 2025The good, the good, and the good.
- marshalseaAugust 29, 2025Where do you start? The writing, as everything lives and dies on this and I'm vocal on poor writing. This my fellow film watchers is good writing. Characters have flesh, bones, and... That rarest things characters based on motives and they act around them. Obviously, this is further carried by one of the greatest collected casts. Easily one of the best films in the last 50 years, the story isn't the normal 3 parts, with piece after piece dropping into place, each POV spinning around ego vs egos and that long in the tooth universal truth that most cops are the thick kids from your school year. If it weren't true we wouldn't see news item after news item. Possibly a flawless film, time has found it not wanting.
- Alan CookApril 11, 2025Terrific, realistic film. Superb actors.
- ken.m46July 26, 2025This movie is the real Chinatown sequel.
- Duncanmac76July 20, 2025Great story with a great cast. Probably one the most perfect films ever made.
- mickerdooJuly 8, 2025Took two watches but everything you want from the genre. Sex, complicated crime and the period. Crowe, Pearce and Spacey are phenomenal.
- Pat BrownJuly 4, 2025One of my favourite films. Everyone turned in a great performance but I especially loved Russell Crowe as Bud White and Guy Pierce as Ed Exley though James Cromwell surprised me by seamlessly becoming the unexpected bad guy. Well worth a second or third watch. It’s a wonderful portrayal of Los Angeles in the 50s.
L.A. Confidential Trivia
L.A. Confidential was released on September 19, 1997.
L.A. Confidential was directed by Curtis Hanson.
L.A. Confidential has a runtime of 2 hr 18 min.
L.A. Confidential was produced by Curtis Hanson, Arnon Milchan, Michael G. Nathanson.
The key characters in L.A. Confidential are Jack Vincennes (Kevin Spacey), Wendell 'Bud' White (Russell Crowe), Edmund 'Ed' Exley (Guy Pearce).
L.A. Confidential is rated R.
L.A. Confidential is a Mystery, Crime, Drama film.
L.A. Confidential has an audience rating of 9.4 out of 10.