Rating: 
Summary: not true noir, but pretty good
Review: The movie has trouble finding a tone and style at first, gradually develops some of the former, and at the end loses any of either it might have had. Still, it's very much worth watching for the remarkably rich character development, especially of the various cops. This in itself puts it outside the noir genre. I can't understand why Miss Basinger won an oscar (she didn't do much), but then I can't understand why lots of people win oscars. The Guy Pearce character was terrific, and to me much more complex than others have perceived him. I think I won't be giving away plot details if I just say that I found it quite implausible that a couple of the characters fell for "Veronica," given their personalities as developed up to that point. But then who can understand men? (Being one myself, I'd never try). I also found the period settings pretty sketchy, and the DeVito character something out of a comic book. Certainly his "Sidster" was a howler of an anachronism, as was someone's use of "priorities." (And the maroon coupe was NOT maroon--or was that supposed to be a subtle statement about police perceptivity?) But certainly watch the film for the great acting, for characterization that reaches depths you're not likely to see in Hollywood films of ANY era. Oh, and it builds suspense wonderfully--great plot!
Rating: 
Summary: This movie was a big bore.
Review: I didn't like this one at all. I finally got up and ordered a pizza and returned later to see if it had gotten any better. It didn't. Kim bassinger is lifeless. She has been and always will be a lady totally bereft of any acting talent whose put on stage because she's ... and looks good in an evening gown. The whole story is really flat.
Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful movie immersed in the lore of film noir
Review: I absolutely love this movie. Ever since I sat in a theater and watched this back in '97, I have constantly praised this film to any true film fan who is skeptical about sitting through it. But there's not really one particular thing that is so enthralling about it. It's not particularly Curtis Hanson's incredible directing ability. It's not really because of the incredibly-accurate set pieces that truly place you in glamorous 1950's Hollywood. It's not because of the gorgeous beautifully-lit cinematography. And it's not because of the expert acting from the brilliant ensemble cast. But rather it is the combination of all of these masterful qualities all held together by one of the most intricately-detailed and air-tight screenplays probably EVER. There is not a dull or weak moment in this entire film. And it is the exact kind of exciting, scandalous and corrupt film noir that has been sorely missing from recent cinema. The movie's publicity line alone utterly epitomizes the feel of classic crime thriller cinema: "Everything is suspect... Everyone is for sale... And nothing is what it seems."As I mentioned before, the writing is what really puts this film head-and-shoulders above anything else. Curtis Hanson and Brian Helgeland, from their own passion and fascination with the glamorous and bigger-than-life facade of the scandal-filled '50s Hollywood, crafted what has to be the finest and most wowing script since Robert Towne's legendary screenplay for 'Chinatown'. And that makes it no surprise that this is, in my humble opinion, the absolute finest film of its kind since that extraordinary masterpiece. It is clear as day that every actor and actress was born to play their role. Russel Crowe gives Bud White an aggressive and violent intensity, but with an underlying sympathy and compassion for people (He is particularly abrasive toward woman-beaters), Guy Pearce is terrific as the cocky, but well-meaning detective lieutenant Ed Exley, and Kevin Spacey, one of the best actors working today, is perfectly cast as Detective Jack Vincennes, a spotlight-loving product of tinseltown. Apparently, when he was offered the role by Hanson he was asked to play the character almost like Dean Martin, and you can see that in his performance. He plays Vincennes as a suave, stylish king of cool, carefree, confident, always with a girl on his arm, always ready with a quip or a smartass comment. Although the character is forced to shed some of those qualities as the film goes on, Spacey still impresses. And James Cromwell, who was the kindly farmer in 'Babe', has the same benevolent smile in this role, but the eyes are cold, and his values corrupted, so clearly-drawn he deserves to be mentioned in the same breath with Noah Cross in 'Chinatown'. The multi-character format of the film allows you to try and relate yourself to a drastically-different array of people, who slowly, but surely show their true colors. Regardless of the majority of opinions from people, 'L.A. Confidential' should have won the Best Picture Oscar of 1997 (not the bloated, overhyped and overrated 'Titanic'). I remember sitting at home watching the Academy Awards telecast and praying that a miracle would occur and the Academy voters would give this film the recognition that it so richly deserves. And although it was given the Best Adapted Screenplay award and although Kim Basinger (who I now see in a new light thanks to this movie) was given the Best Supporting Actress award, I couldn't help but feel unsatisfied. It deserved more than anything else that year the title of "Best Picture". This is nothing short of an American masterpiece. It is one of the best and truest film noirs to come out of modern cinema, at once an homage and an improvement on its predecessors. It is seductive and beautiful, cynical and twisted, and one of my personal favorites as well as one of the best films ever made.
Rating:
Summary: Walk behind the Blue Line of Silence
Review: This is an excellent movie. The plot is excellent, the soundtrack is great. It always leaves you guessing and at the same time the movie has some feel good elements that can be crowd pleasers. Set in LA in the 50's when the pitch for tourism is high and the city is trying to promote a crime-free image, their credibility is damaged by drug and sex rings and a late night shotgun massacre in a tiny diner. A young hot shot detective plays by the book and another plays bad cop. Together they have to get to the bottom of things without getting killed. The acting is great in this movie, across the board. I loved it. If you haven't seen it already, you must. Check it out.
Rating:
Summary: Two hours of my life wasted....
Review: I liked to see pointless violence done in a cliched, uninteresting way....when I was 13 years old. I don't think this is really a one star film, but I feel the overall rating of this movie needs to come down a bit. It is way overrated. I found the movie uninteresting, a bit confusing, and riddled with unbeleivable, flat characters. Don't beleive the hype - people just wet their pants when Kevin Spacey or any other actor they like pops up in a flick. If you are not a discriminating person, you'll be entertained. If you appreciate quality, intellectual films, you'll have more fun organizing your closet.
Rating:
Summary: Confidentially, Guy Pearce stole the show.
Review: Terrific movie from start to finish. Guy Pearce got third billing but his was the most complex and difficult role, and he did a superb job. I hope he keeps in mind that his American fans know him as the straight arrow, Lt.Ed Exley -- or, Major Biggs, in "Rules of Engagement". We all know that actors like to 'stretch' but to keep a loyal fan base, he must bring back, from time to time, the man we can admire and respect.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent movie!
Review: At first glance this movie obviously has something to do with a nice, big, juicy plot. Even though it doesn't seem apparent at first, the great writing and great actors reveal the full story of what's going on. You'll be second guessing yourself as to what is going on, so seeing this movie is a good idea, if you're not going to buy it. It's really something to watch multiple times, you understand more and more how everything just perfectly fits together. The writing was done meticulously, I haven't found a flaw yet.
Rating:
Summary: Perfect!
Review: What a throwback to the golden age of Film Noir! Even though the film is in color the drap texture and cinematography works wonders on the screen and the disc is a great transfer of a great film. The true star of the film is not Crowe though he is great. The raw power he exudes is mesmerizing! Not a great deal was paid attention to the films anti-hero, the guy who's presence makes every scene pop with an understated intelligence. His name is GUY PEARCE! This is his film and he knows it any guy that can take a scene from Crowe has to be good.This film won some Oscars but the one who stand out for a win is Basinger; for an actor who usually does ... her performance is a sleek as her hair! But why was Pearce not a best actor nominee and Crowe they bothe lost that year-and Pearce wasn't even nominated. Buy this film and do yourself a favor.
Rating:
Summary: Extraordinary
Review: I usually dont like these types of films but this one is a purely captivating film. The story is complicated and not easy to get the first time, but its almost secondary to the brilliant acting and dialogue, as well as the direction and production. At the top is Russell Crowe. What a great performance. He shouldve gotten an Oscar for this one, too. And the rest of the cast is excellent, too. In terms of acting, it ranks alongside Shawshank Redemption and Fargo as the best of the 1990's and one of the truly great movies of all time.
Rating:
Summary: Some Men get the World, while others get ex Hookers and...
Review: There is a moment when career-climbing cop, Ed Exley (Guy Pearce), hears the name "Rollo Tomasi" and the camera is focused closeup on his face and his eyes and we see him shift, and with him, the whole movie shifts into high gear. It is now one of the great, classic moments of recent cinema. Prior to that moment, Curtis Hanson and company had set the scene, believably and meticulously established the time and place (LA/Hollywood early 50's), delineated the main characters and given us a mystery within a mystery. This was done with patience and care. (And an overdue antidote to the sacharine view of the 1950's). After that moment, the momentum and pace pickup and everything starts rolling as all the pieces begin to fall into place and we learn with our lead characters the thread that has tied all these disparate elements together, all leading to a helluva climax with one of the best shootouts ever staged. I love this movie. It truly does rank with Chinatown in the pantheon of all-time great modern noir mysteries. There isn't a facet of filmaking that was missed or fudged in making this. It is first rate in all departments (cast, cinematography, script, dialogue, set design, costume etc.). Too bad it got lost in the phenomena of Titanic. Anyway, like Chinatown, there isn't a thing I would change about this movie. It's as close to perfect as you're going to get. A true modern Classic.
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