L.A. Confidential (1997) - #79

Empire top 301: #79

IMDb top 250: #91

Rating 10/10

Director: Curtis Hanson

Writers: Brian Helgeland, Curtis Hanson & James Ellroy

Starring: Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, James Cromwell, Danny DeVito, David Strathairn & Kim Basinger

“Off the record, on the QT, and very hush-hush.”

Set in a corrupt 1950’s Los Angeles, L.A. Confidential tells the story of three police officers and their investigation to uncover the truth behind the Nite Owl killings that saw one of their own killed. Sergeant Edmund "Ed" Exley is the son of a legendary decetive who was killed in the line of duty; Exley wants to live up to his father’s reputation. Whilst he insists on doing everything by the book and follow regulations, he is cut throat in his ambition to get to the top. Officer Wendell "Bud" White, is perceived as nothing more than a mindless thug relying on violence to get a confession. He is obsessed with with punishing women-beaters and has a dislike to Exley, after Exley is influential in getting his partner Dick Stensland fired from the force, following his actions after the “Bloody Christmas” scandal. Dick Stensland is later killed in the Nite Owl killings. Sergeant Jack Vincennes is a narcotics detective who also moonlights as a technical advisor on the dective show Badge of Honor. Jack can usually be found mixing with celebrities and Sid Hudgens who writes the gossip tabloid Hush-Hush. During their separate investigations into the Nite Owl killings all three police officers discover a world of corruption involving the police, pimps and prostitutes and the Hollywood insiders.

L.A. Confidential is a superb neo-noir thriller that’s just full of twist and turns, from a stunning Oscar winning script by Brian Helgeland and Curtis Hanson. The dialogue is quote worthy and there are some great one liners. The direction is superb and Hanson has got the tone and feel of 1950’s Los Angeles on point. The film is so stylish and dripping with Hollywood glamour, the costumes and sets are gorgeous. The music is perfect and fits the tone of the movie so well. 

The performances are excellent from everyone. At the time the movie was made Guy Pearce and Russell Crowe were relatively unknown but they are perfect in the roles they play; Pearce plays slimy weasel well and we know Crowe has got ‘hard man’ down to a tee. Spacey does slick and stylish so well and I love the character of Jack Vincennes. The real surprise here is Kim Basinger, in her Academy Award winning role of Veronica Lake look-a-like Lynne Bracken. It’s a really soft and thoughtful performance however, was she better than Julianne Moore in Boogie Nights…NO!

Danny DeVito and James Cromwell provide excellent support, as does everyone who has a speaking role. L.A. Confidential reminds me of Chinatown a lot, only it’s better in my opinion. I believe this film to be pretty perfect. It’s one of the greatest films of the 90’s and indeed of all time.