Rating: 
Summary: Classy film noire thriller with atmosphere
Review: "L.A. Confidential" is a "guy thing," a well-directed, fast-paced thriller with an atmospheric feel comparable to say "Chinatown" and "Sunset Boulevard." Director Curtis Hanson brings the fifties L.A. milieu to life with music, authentic appearing sets and a story that focuses on crime and corruption, false glamour and moral disillusionment as only the City of Angels could play it. Things get a little bit comic book toward the end, but the characters and story and the rapid-fire one-liners will keep you glued to the screen. There's a lot of Raymond Chandler's L.A. here."Confidential" was the name of an "exposé" magazine published in the fifties in the L.A. area. I recall seeing it as a kid in liquor stores at some distance from the comic books. It used green lettering on its first page (the only page I ever saw). In this film the magazine is called "Hush-Hush," and Danny DeVito is appropriately cast as its sleazy editor and publisher. Kim Basinger appears as a Veronica Lake look-a-like prostitute and plays it like Lauren Becall from a Bogey film, but without any wit or grace. James Cromwell is the personification of evil as the morally sick Capt Dudley Smith. Russell Crowe as Bud White, the justice-dispensing cop with a brutal temper and a soft heart for battered dames, gives an excellent performance. Guy Pearce as Ed Exley, the cop with glasses who doesn't care what the other cops think is also very good. Kevin Spacey as Jack Vincennes, the cop whose thrill is to be part of the TV production "Badge of Honor" (that's the old "Dragnet" series with Jack Webb from the fifties) is also good. In short, the cast is excellent and is probably the main reason this classy "shoot 'em up" is so highly-rated. It was number 33 on IMDb's top 250 last time I looked. Recent movies and especially male-ID films tend to be rate high on this site. As the Internet and IMDb acquire a greater feminine voice, the ratings of thriller/action/adventure flicks will fall a little. A question to ask while watching this is, was the LAPD really this corrupt? Quick answer: yes. Next question, why? Answer, because all police departments, like all governments eventually become infested with corruption and must to cleaned out or overthrown. Why? Quick, but non-illuminating answer: human nature. Even you and I, if we had to deal with criminals on the one hand and the bureaucracy of the justice system on the other, day after frustrating and cynical day, might very well take on the values and persona of our surroundings. Some authentic period piece phrases heard in the movie: "Just the facts, Jack"; "taco bender"; "just another Hollywood homocide"; "maybe that's why he's under a house in Elysian Park and don't smell too good" and of course the sleazy tabloid tag: "off the record, on the QT and very hush-hush." One last thought for Director Hanson: Here's a lyric from a fifties tune that should have made the sound track: "Confidential as a church at twilight/Secret and moving as a lover's prayer/My love for you will always be confidential to me." They used to moon over that one in the barrios, circa 1955.
Rating: 
Summary: Brilliant and original!
Review: I can't believe I hadn't seen this film until recently! This is one of the most intelligent and original dark comedies I have ever seen! It is a tale of corruption -- police, politicians and the press -- and the people involved. Set in Hollywood during the 1950's, the film illustrates police corruption. There are many phony policemen, one of whom is Kevin Spacey's character. He sells information to a sleazy tabloid journalist (played by Danny Devito). The backdrop of the film sort of reminds me of Chinatown -- the best Technicolor noir film I have ever seen. The actors are incredible. Kevin Spacey and Danny Devito are amazing, as are Russell Crowe and Guy Pearce. But the real treat in this film is Kim Basinger; she earned that Academy Award. This is a compelling and brutally honest thriller that should definitely be owned. I highly recommend this film, especially on DVD.
Rating:
Summary: L.A.Confidential
Review: I'm only 14 years old and I saw L.A.Confidential earlier this year. In this film, Curtis Hanson (the director) showed life in the early 1950's in such a unique way that overall, topped up to be an excellent and interesting film. This is a must-see film for any well-loved fans of Russell Crowe, Kim Basinger, Kevin Spacey and Guy Pearce as they all act and perform outstandingly to produce a well-written piece of work.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best movies of the 90's
Review: I was in love with Titanic and agreed that it should have won every award it did....that is untill I saw L.A. Confidential. This movie blew my mind. The plot was fascinating, an inside look of the workings of the L.A.P.D in the 50's. The directing, cinematography, all of the designings were astounding. Its also one of those rare films that the script pretty much stick to the novel. The acting was flawless, Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe (in a powerhouse performance) and Guy Pierce were all overlooked at Oscar time. It truly is one of the best movies of the 90's, right up there with American Beauty, Saving Private Ryan and Schindlers List. If you havent seen this movie yet, go out and rent it, and I doubt you'll be dissapointed. However, I must warn you that the begining is a little slow, but it soon picks up the pace....pay attention or else you might not get the ending.
Rating:
Summary: Very Good Movie, and Well Worth Owning on DVD
Review: "LA Confidential" takes detective film noir in a different direction-something I didn't think could be done. Director Curtis Hanson stated that he wanted the focus of this period piece to be on the characters and dialogue rather than the locations, clothing, cars, etc. I think he got it right for the most part, but the cinematography is so spectacular that you can't help but notice the backdrops against which the scenes are set. The acting performances in this picture are for the most part first rate: Guy Pearce plays the ambitious Edmund Exley to perfection, Russell Crowe is superb as tough guy detective Bud White, and Kevin Spacey (one of my favorite actors of all time) turns in a stellar performance as the hip narco detective who also acts as a consultant on a Dragnet-like TV series. Strong performances by James Cromwell, Ron Rifkin, and the ubiquitous David Strathairn round out the picture. Although I liked Kim Basinger, I thought she was cast more for her look than for her acting skills. She played the role of a Veronica-lake lookalike prostitute quite well, but hers didn't look like a performance any other competent actress couldn't have pulled off. The DVD version of this picture is more full of features than any other title I've owned thus far. It includes a documentary about the making of the film which includes cast interviews and clips of Crowe's and Pearce's screen tests. There's also a location map that tells the viewer about each of the major locations where scenes were shot, cast bios, a promo for the soundtrack (featuring some very good early 50's jazz courtesy of Chet Baker and other artists of the era), and the movie can be played with just the soundtrack running. Be warned-the features that come in the DVD version take more time to watch as the movie. But it's well worth the time! "LA Confidential" sets a high standard in terms of what studios should include in DVD's of their pictures. Are you paying attention, Hollywood?
Rating:
Summary: Best Movie of Past Five Years
Review: This is one of the best movies, perhaps the best, of the past five years. There are only a few movies which are interesting enough to watch more than once (unless you've got plenty of time on your hands). This is one of them (no matter how precious your time). James Ellroy's dialog is cutting, as always, and his characters sharp; these characters are all real people, believable and authentic for the era. They are not stylized and idealized Hollywood "good-guys" and "bad-guys". They can be bad, but are interesting and (at least regarding the three leads), sympathetic. No Hollywood political-correctness or revisionist history here. James Ellroy knows the L.A. of 1953 and spits it out perfect. Russell Crowe (who was awesome in the Australian movie, Romper Stomper, which led to his discovery for this role) is absolutely perfect as a tough guy LA cop of the early 50's. Guy Pearce is perfect as Ed Exley. Kevin Spacey is at his best and Kim Bassinger is the right cast for the Veronica Lake part. There is nothing bad to say about this film -- every second is perfect. Of course, the ultimate credit goes to James Ellroy who wrote the book. If you've read any Ellroy, you'll recognize his mark instantly.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Cop, Bad Cop, Carnage and Mayhem
Review: Essentially a prime time television cop show, except with period cars and telephones. Lots of shooting and fisticuffs. The fellow who plays the Irish police captain knows how to act (or perhaps he just has better dialogue), and I suppose it's better than most contemporary Hollywood films. I'd give it two and a half stars if I could.
Rating:
Summary: A great movie, with a great cast...
Review: I was not alive in the 1950's,I have never been to Los Angeles, or anywhere else in California for that matter. So I have a hard time explaining why this film makes me feel like I'm in 1950's Hollywood. "L.A. Confidential" had the unfortunate timing of being released at the same time as "Titanic" and was grossly overlooked. This movie has all the essential elements of a great story: greed, lust, power, corruption, sex, and drugs. In L.A. Confidential there seems to be no absolute black and white, only people living their lives in different shades of gray. No character seems to be all good or all bad, but they all have their own since of morality. Jack Vinncines (Kevin Spacey) is the narcotics detective knee-deep in the glitz and glamopur of Holloywood, rubbing elbows with the rich and powerful. Ed Exley, the son of fallen department hero, determined to fulfill his dreams of being a detective, no matter the cost. Bud White (Russell Crowe), the muscle bound thug cop obsessed with protecting abused women, and longing for the day he can use his brain to work a case instead of his fists. Each cop sets forth on a journey in seemingly different directions, all coming together in a web of deception and corruption. Kim Bassinger is outstanding as the glamorous prostitute cought in the middle, and James Cromwell (probably the best actor you don't know) is terrific as Captain Dudley Smith. Many want to label "L.A. Confidential" as a great example of flim noir, but I say that is just a great film. It's dark and full of realism, and a movie that has been over looked far too long.
Rating:
Summary: CLASSIC FILM NOIR!
Review: L.A. Confidential has everything; humor, a great soundtrack, beautiful set pieces (in this case reminiscent of 1953 California), shootouts, romance, believable characters, and a wonderfully written screenplay, just everything a great film needs. Never in all my years have I seen a more splendid piece of film entertainment. This is classic film noir at its' very best. As the camera pulls back, we are introduced to three different cops; Russell Crowe's Bud White, a handsome, no-nonsense cop, Kevin Spacey's Jack Vincennes, a more reserved cop who takes bribes from a snooping Journalist (played by Danny DeVito) to get stories, and finally Guy Pearce's Ed Exley, a younger self-admired pro who insists everything is done strictly by the book. At first we don't like any of these characters, but as the film goes by and we get to understand and relate with their differences, their personalities just blend very well together, and we become enthralled to learn more about them. There is also James Cromwell as the Police Captain, and not your average type as well I might add, Kim Basinger as Lynn Bracken, a sultry Veronica Lake look-alike who Bud White begans to have a steamy love affair with, and David Strathairn as a millionaire who employs beautiful woman from all over Los Angeles to resemble glamorous movie stars. After a brutal murder takes place at a coffee shop, the three cops try to unravel the case but soon find that all of their histories about why they became cops in the first place somehow become connected together with the case, perhaps they have more in common than meets the eye. Cromwell's Police Captain on the other hand seems to indulge in ways of his own as he hires two hitmen Michael Breuning (Tomas Arana) and William Carlisle (Michael McCleery) to help him torture former mob-boss thugs at a hotel. Actually it's White who must do the dirty work here, but what happens after he gets romantically involved with Lynn, he becomes a tamer, more professional cop. Love conquers all, doesn't it? After more bizarre series of murders take place during the investigations the story cleverly twists and turns and we become more interested as to what will happen in the end, and who are the bad guys? I'm sorry, I am just giving away too much already, but I will stop here. To put it simply, this film is just the greatest assemblage of classic story writing, unforgettable characters, and very few equally unforgettable movie lines weaved into any action or drama film I have ever seen. L.A. Confidential is a powerful look at Film Cinema, a beautiful film to watch in every respect from L.A. beaches to the Police Headquarters to the Celebrity look-alikes, to the classic 1950 imagery, and an enormously entertaining Hollywood gem.
Rating:
Summary: Here for the voting
Review: Most people know what a good movie this is so who cares about my opinion. I have been a big Kevin Spacey fan since I first saw him as Mel Profit on "Wise Guy" talking to his big toes. That was a character. Kevin Spacey was my initial draw to this film and I like Kim Basinger and it looked like an interesting character for her to play. I enjoyed Russell Crowe and Guy Pearce very much, was surprised to find out they were from Australia and New Zealand and the rest is history.
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