L.A. Confidential

( 19 )

Overview

Based on the best-selling novel by James Ellroy and directed by Curtis Hanson, this award-winning crime drama explores both the dark side of the Los Angeles police force and Southern California's criminal underbelly in the early '50s, when Hollywood was still seen as America's capital of sophistication, glitter, and glamour. Dudley Smith James Cromwell is the head of the LAPD and is loyal to his officers and eager to turn a blind eye to violence or corruption within his department, as long as it's the "bad guys" ...
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Overview

Based on the best-selling novel by James Ellroy and directed by Curtis Hanson, this award-winning crime drama explores both the dark side of the Los Angeles police force and Southern California's criminal underbelly in the early '50s, when Hollywood was still seen as America's capital of sophistication, glitter, and glamour. Dudley Smith James Cromwell is the head of the LAPD and is loyal to his officers and eager to turn a blind eye to violence or corruption within his department, as long as it's the "bad guys" who are getting hurt. Bud White Russell Crowe is a police detective whose violent and cynical nature is often at war with his basic sense of decency and justice. Ed Exley Guy Pearce is a beat cop-turned-detective whose strict by-the-book philosophy and willingness to blow the whistle on other officers is balanced by a shrewd and opportunistic understanding of the internal politics of the department. And Jack Vincennes Kevin Spacey is a flashy "Hollywood" detective who serves as technical advisor for the TV series Badge of Honor. He is also in cahoots with Sid Hudgeons Danny DeVito, publisher of the scandal sheet Hush Hush, who throws kickbacks to Vincennes in exchange for being brought along when showbiz figures get busted. White, Exley, and Vincennes find themselves drawn into a tangled and sticky web of violence and betrayal following a multiple murder at a coffee shop that is believed to be part of an effort by Mickey Cohen Paul Guilfoyle to consolidate his hold on organized crime in L.A. This lead appears to be connected to the discovery of a bizarre pornography and call-girl ring operated by Pierce Patchett David Strathairn, whose women are given plastic surgery so that they more closely resemble well-known movie stars. White's role in the investigation is complicated when he falls for Lynn Bracken Kim Basinger, one of Patchett's prostitutes, who is the spitting image of Veronica Lake. L.A. Confidential was nominated for nine Academy Awards and netted two, with Brian Helgeland honored for Best Adapted Screenplay, and Kim Basinger taking home a statuette as Best Supporting Actress.
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Editorial Reviews

All Movie Guide - Lucia Bozzola
A polished policier in the tradition of Chinatown (1974), with a plot as convoluted as film noir chestnut The Big Sleep (1946), L.A. Confidential (1997) proved that it was still possible to fashion an actor-driven detective yarn in 1990s Hollywood. Adapting the story from James Ellroy's novel, director Curtis Hanson deftly captures the glamour and sleaze of post-war Los Angeles, where hookers look like movie stars and movie stars are mistaken for hookers, as an antagonistic trio of police detectives discovers how deeply ingrained the city's corruption has become. Russell Crowe's pugnacious White, Guy Pearce's smug Exley, and Kevin Spacey's smooth, celeb-struck Vincennes are all somewhat tainted, but even they cannot quite believe the rot they uncover; the accompanying gallery of rogues and innocents, including scandal mongers, prostitutes, and other cops, constantly shifts the moral order. Dante Spinotti's cinematography and Jeannine Oppewall's detailed production design lend a period sheen while richly alluding to the shadowy truth hidden by symbols of law and order. Opening to raves, particularly for the lead trio and Kim Basinger's Veronica Lake-esque pro, L.A. Confidential swept the critics' awards for Best Film and received nine Academy Award nominations. In the wake of Titanic, though, only Basinger and co-screenwriters Hanson and Brian Helgeland won statuettes.
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Product Details

  • Release Date: 10/13/1998
  • UPC: 012569667730
  • Original Release: 1997

    • Rating:

  • Source: WARNER HOME VIDEO
  • Format: VHS

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
Kevin Spacey Jack Vincennes
Russell Crowe Bud White
Guy Pearce Ed Exley
James Cromwell Dudley Smith
Kim Basinger Lynn Bracken
David Strathairn Pierce Patchett
Danny DeVito Sid Hudgeons
Amber Smith Susan Lefferts
Simon Baker-Denny Mat Reynolds
Graham Beckel Dick Stensland
Gwenda Deacon Mrs. Lefferts
Paul Guilfoyle Mickey Cohen
Sally Insul
John Mahon Police Chief
Matt McCoy Brett Chase
Ron Rifkin D.A. Ellis Loew
Technical Credits
Curtis Hanson Director
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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4.5
( 19 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(14)

4 Star

(4)

3 Star

(1)

2 Star

(0)

1 Star

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Sort by: Showing all of 19 Customer Reviews

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    one of the best movies I've ever seen!

    The original &quot L.A. Confidential&quot DVD was the very first DVD I ever purchased. I am very happy to know that finally, after all these years, a &quot special edition&quot of this movie is on the way! This film was the closest thing to &quot perfect&quot in terms of the casting, the scriptwriting, and the settings. After 10 years, it still bugs me that &quot Titanic&quot won Best Picture instead of &quot L.A. Confidential&quot . Can't wait to see all the extra features!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Wonderful!

    This movie was a thrilling change from the pointless and inane crime movies Hollywood seems to relish in churning out. It was brilliantly cast and the sets and costumes were fantastic. But if you're going to buy this movie make sure to buy a copy with the commentary at the end. That was the best part, because James Ellroy, the writer of the book this movie is based on, was interviewed. He was hilariously full of himself and so pompous I thought he was going to explode! After seeing what a great movie it was, and listening to him go on and on about himself, I had to go read the book. The book stunk. This is one of those rare times when a stellar movie is made from an uninspired toilet-read. So, my advice is to watch the movie and skip the book.

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