Rating: 
Summary: Compelling, Transporting Drama
Review: A study of life in Los Angeles and corruption within the Police Force of the City of Angels in the early 1950's, "L.A. Confidential," directed by Curtis Hanson, is an intense, compelling drama starring Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe and Guy Pearce. It's a time of growth in Southern California; freeways are on the drawing board, glitz and glamor abounds in Hollywood, and there's a lot of money to be made, especially for anyone with the right connections. But there's a dark undercurrent running throughout the city as well. The criminal element is thriving under the auspices of gangster Mickey Cohen, and it's a time when certain officers of the law tend to mete out their own, personal brand of justice, which doesn't necessarily land them on the right side of the fence, nor of the law. There's graft within the L.A.P.D., and a prevalent misuse of authority and lack of ethics that begins at the top, filters down and permeates the entire force. And when Cohen finally goes to jail, a number of his "associates" begin turning up dead, and strange and untoward things begin to happen in and around Hollywood. Finally, a nocturnal massacre at a place called the "Nite Owl Cafe" kicks off an investigation that ultimately involves two young officers, Bud White (Crowe) and Ed Exley (Pearce), and a veteran of the narcotics squad, Jack Vincennes (Spacey). And it isn't long before the proverbial can of worms is wrenched open and, needless to say, many lives are soon destined to be changed forever. Working from an intelligent and extremely well written script (co-written by Hanson and Brian Helgeland, adapted from the novel by James Ellroy), Hanson delivers this tightly woven, intricate story with a deft hand and an eye for detail that transports the audience to another time and place. At the heart of the tale are White and Exley, both of whom are passionate about their work and the pursuit of justice, though they differ greatly in their respective methods and basic perceptions of how things should be and why. And it's this contrast in personalities that becomes the impetus for the drama; what makes these guys tick, and which buttons can be pushed (and by whom) to get them going. It's an examination of the complexities of human nature, and Hanson handles it all with skill and precision. If you hadn't noticed Russell Crowe before this film, you will forever after. His screen presence here is explosive, and he brings an intensity to his character that is almost unsettling. You can see it in his eyes; the turmoil lying just beneath the surface, ready to erupt at any moment. You can feel it just watching him. It's a dynamic, multi-layered performance that is unforgettable. Guy Pearce turns in a notable performance as well, entirely credible and believable, though he lacks Crowe's charisma and presence. But, admittedly, the character of Exley doesn't command the sympathy that White's does; White, despite his propensity for violent action, exhibits a vulnerability that is absent in Exley, who comes off as rather cold and inaccessible. But again, it's the differences between these two that gives the movie it's momentum. Kevin Spacey also turns in another outstanding performance as the slick, self-assured "celeb" of the force, Jack Vincennes, the cop whose ethics have become self-serving and who's lost sight of why he joined the department in the first place. Spacey readily conveys the fact that there is more to Vincennes than meets the eye, which we discover as the story unfolds. And it's when we learn what's hidden beneath the surface that we realize what a terrific job Spacey has done in bringing this character to life. And, not to be outdone by her co-stars, Kim Basinger (Lynn Bracken) turns in a performance as a Veronica Lake look-alike that won her an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. With a supporting cast that includes Danny DeVito (Sid), David Strathairn (Pierce Patchett), Ron Rifkin (D.A. Ellis Loew) and Matt McCoy (Brett Chase), "L.A. Confidential" is an entertaining, absorbing drama that will linger in your memory for days after you've seen it. Filmed on location in and around L.A. and Hollywood, this is a superlative piece of filmmaking that must be seen, especially by anyone who truly loves movies that are made the way movies "ought" to be made; this is one of them.
Rating:
Summary: THE BEST AMERICAN MOVIE OF 1997
Review: Director Curtis Hanson's L.A. CONFIDENTIAL is one of the first DVD's that I have bought and I still watch this movie on a regular basis with pleasure. Being an old fan of 15 years of James Ellroy, I was apprehending a lot the cinematographical adaptation of this masterpiece of american contemporary literature because the 1987 adaptation of BLOOD ON THE MOON, rebaptized COP and directed by James B Harris, was not at all impressive even with James Woods as Lloyd Hopkins.Firstly, there is the casting, outstanding, with actors impersonating in a terrific manner the dozens of characters creating by James Ellroy. L.A. CONFIDENTIAL is not only the story of the investigation of a shooting in the Los Angeles of the early 50's, it's also the unique re-creation of the atmosphere of a period that should have been the paradise on earth, at least in the city of angels. Curtis Hanson, following James Ellroy, did a splendid job by smashing the false mirrors this society tried to believe in. Fortunately, for once, a studio has decided to exploit the enormous possibilities of the DVD standard for a great movie. Usually, only artistically uninteresting blockbusters have the honour to be presented with important extra-features. So, don't hesitate, buy the DVD of L.A. CONFIDENTIAL, it's a movie to keep. A DVD for your library.
Rating:
Summary: AN EXCELLENT DETECTIVE MOVIE
Review: This detective movie will keep you at the edge of your seat and make you guessing until the end.It will also bring back to your memory those 40's private detective movies you used to love.RUSSELL CROWE's character is something to see and KIM BASINGER has her best part.If you gotta make a violent movie, at least try to tell a story ,and CURTIS HANSON has done so.A perfect example of its kind.
Rating:
Summary: Hello, DVDmaniacs, this one is for you
Review: You've read the book, see the movie! An you can turn it the other way round as well. These two are just perfect works. Incredibly intense book and gorgeous film noir. Matching cast Spacey/Crowe/Pearce/Cromwell/DeVito, why ask for less! The DVD is a treasure in itself, endless bonus tracks, magnificient image, excellent musical track. If you don't have it yet, ask Santa, or your brother-in-law or anyone to get it for you. Now!
Rating:
Summary: An epic period piece
Review: A lot of people agree that CHINATOWN, starring Jack Nicholson, is one of the best modern film noires since the genre's heyday. I'd like to say that L.A. CONFIDENTIAL is well on its way to taking it over. Bud White (Russell Crowe), Ed Exley (Guy Pearce), and "Hollywood" Jack Vincennes (Kevin Spacey) uncover a major coupe in the city's organized crime ring and the twists just keep on comin'. With charged action scenes, heavy drama and loads of style, L.A. Confidential is easily one of the best films of the nineties. Kim Basinger won an Oscar for her turn as Lynn Bracken, a Veronica Lake lookalike who's the only character in the film with nothing to hide. The extras on the DVD are just great, including the screen tests of Crowe and Pearce and the discovery that the first retro-gangster American film in a long time is headlined by two Australian actors. With an all star cast, tight direction and an award winning screenplay, L.A. Confidential is a tough one to beat. For all you fifties music lovers, you're gonna die for the sound track. One of my top ten favorite movies ever, I very highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: a classy film
Review: This is film noir at it's best, rivaled only by The Maltese Falcon. A smart film revolving around 3 cops, a call girl and the sleezy tabloid writer with his finger on the pulse of LA. The characters are beautifully developed and played. Spacey is slick and corrupt, Pearce is the ambitious one and Crowe is a time bomb waiting for the right moment to explode. Kim Basinger exudes the sexy 50's starlet type role. James Cromwell as the corrupt police captain is equally compelling as he plays the three cops against eachother to dangerous ends. A slick smart film that will hold your attention from begining to end. It is a must have for any film fan!
Rating:
Summary: Best American film of the nineties!
Review: Hands-down my favourite American film of the nineties. Curtis Hanson shocked the world by proving to be not only a great director but an auteur with this unbeatable adaptation of James Ellroy's terrifying novel about corruption and crime among members of the LAPD in the 1950s. The hard-boiled detective story angle is brought to life so beautifully, mostly because Jeannine Claudia Oppewall's production design recreates the dark underside of the 50s to such perfection that not even a Coke bottle label is missed. Add to that Dante Spinotti's stunning lighting that rides the fine line between artistic and believable comfortably (as all period camerawork should), Ruth Myers' costume designing and a script by Hanson and The Postman scribe Brian Helgeland (I know, I don't get it either) that pares down Ellroy's mammoth plot about a multiple murder in a local diner involving a policeman with suspicious ties without sacrificing the density of the story or the spiderweb of events involved with it, and you have the best movie of 1997, not to mention the most fascinating detective film ever made since Orson Welles' Touch of Evil. The cast is all brilliant, most notably Kim Basinger as a wordly prostitute who has not only a heart of gold but a mind of steel--Basinger is so strong in her character's every nuance you'll find yourself forgetting she's even acting--and Kevin Spacey as a Dean Martin-esque detective who not only solves an important part of the puzzle, he even discovers he possesses a soul beneath his flashy suits. I just can't get enough of this film.
Rating:
Summary: Jabba-rific!
Review: It is me, Jabba The Hut, and I'm here to review this wonderful film I just saw the other night in my palace. The character development in this film was absolutely top-notch. I enjoyed the somewhat polar-opposite personalities of Bud White (Russell Crowe) and Ed Exley (Guy Pierce), and how they reacted to each other like oil and water (for those who have not taken chemistry class in high school, oil and water do not mix, thus explaining my analogy). Ed was the smart one (somewhat of a pacifist) and Bud was the strong one (seen as a mindless thug). Both characters had flawed personalities, giving them a more realistic feel. And when the two finally joined forces, it gave me the impression that there had never been a better duo in the history of...of duos, since Batman and Robin (which pale in comparison). I have to admit, the first time I saw the movie, I didn't pay too much attention and thought that it was just a waste of time. But after watching it the second time around, I realized a multilayered story, waiting to be peeled with my Jabba-like paws, with its prized core, ready to be exposed to all intellectuals. I couldn't help but congratulate myself for understanding this movie. I treated myself to a feeding of two frogs, instead of the regular one.
Rating:
Summary: The Real Film Noir
Review: LA Confidential manages to capture the lost genre of film noir and give it a good shake. Superb cinematography combined with a wonderful cast demand instant comparisons with Chinatown. Whilst never reaching the artistry of Chinatown, LA Confidential provides an enthralling and entertaining cinematic ride. The real stars of this film are Aussies Guy Pearce and Russell Crowe. Kevin Spacey and Kim Basinger demand and receive the kudos of Hollywood stardom but it is really Pearce and Crowe that carry the film. Pearce is a study in obsession - demanding, obsessive and ambitous. Crowe is superb, controlling his performance like a coiled spring until he explodes in a tour de force performance. Spacey, Basinger and De Vito provide superb support but it is the above two who provide the emotional drive for the film's narrative. This story of corruption, murder and greed set within 1950's Los Angeles Police Department is superbly and tightly directed. The script is complex but never out of reach and leaves no loose ends at the end. The cinematography is first rate and evokes the 1950's Los Angeles underworld/Hollywood world admirably. This is a film that is a sum of its parts. Direction, acting, cinematography and script have combined to create a true modern masterpiece. DVD clarity is excellent and the soundtrack sounds superb-adding to the overall atmosphere. This film is a reminder that Hollywood can still do it when it wants.
Rating:
Summary: A Brilliant Film-Noir!
Review: L.A. Confidential is almost a completely faultless film. The cast is great. Kevin Spacey is awesome, New Zealander Russell Crowe is amazing, Kim Basinger had an Oscar well-deserved and James Cromwell is as mysterious and interesting and he needs to be. The direction and writing from newcomer Curtis Hanson is remarkable. He shows effort in directing, and his script is well thought-out, engaging and full of effort. I gave L.A. Confidential 9 out of 10. It all areas it excels with effort, and it is easily one of the best films I saw in 1997.
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