L.A. Confidential
Category
Mystery
Director
Curtis Hanson
Cast
- Kevin Spacey
- Russell Crowe
- Guy Pearce
- James Cromwell
- Kim Basinger
- David Strathairn
- Danny DeVito
Release Date
19 September 1997
Synopsis
The snazzy suits, the dazzling starlets, the sparkling jewels, the dizzying lights, and the flashing cameras - these make up the very glamorous Hollywood scene of the fifties. But behind the glitz and the sparkle, what lurks is a seedy, corrupt underworld of crime, prostitution, drugs, and murder. L.A. Confidential, brought to life with the likes of Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, Danny DeVito, and Kim Basinger under the direction of Curtis Hanson, is the dark portrayal of the post-war Hollywood scene. In the words of Sid Hudgens, "Life is good in Los Angeles. At least that's what they tell you."
Our three main guys in this flick are Hollywood cop Jack Vincennes (Spacey) who thrives in busting of stars involved in drug scandals, the rigid, righteous Ed Huxley who blows the lid on the corruption involving L.A.P.D officers, and officer Bud White, who swore to avenge his convicted partner. Throughout the movie, we have our main men investigating the truth behind the massacre at the Nite Owl Café, and they find themselves caught in a web of shocking lies. With the reporters, policemen, and other key upholders of law and justice involved in the increasingly immoral city of Los Angeles, the three lead characters end up not knowing who to trust and believe and are then forced to discover the truth themselves and right what is wrong with their world.
Hanson takes James Ellroy's bestseller and accurately turns it into a very realistic and compelling imitation of fifties L.A., with the costumes, the locations, the trends, the lingo, the vibe, and the energy. Critics tipped their hats off to the performers of this flick, but it was Kim Basinger's memorable performance as the sexy seductress that helped her win an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. Rich with dark and violent images, L.A. Confidential is such a nostalgic sight that you almost feel that you belong to this world. Hanson is undoubtedly meticulous with details and he tells such a tight, compelling story, which is why it was rightly rewarded with the Best Screenplay award in the 1997 Academy Awards and has been listed as one of the top crime mystery movies of all time.