Film Review: L.A. Confidential

Director: Curtis Hanson

Released in 1997 and based on the popular book by James Ellroy of the same name, L.A. Confidential looks at the LAPD in 1953 under the back drop of police corruption. Two of the main roles in the film were given to Guy Pearce and Russell Crowe who were relative unknowns at the time. The production team then went on to cast more established stars like Kevin Spacey and Danny DeVito. It was nominated for 9 Academy Awards and won two for Best Screenplay and Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Kim Basinger.

Captain Dudley Smith (James Cromwell), Det. Lt. Ed Exley (Guy Pearce), Officer Bud White (Russell Crowe) and Det. Sgt. Jack Vincennes (Kevin Spacey)

Three LA police detectives (Exley, White and Vincennes) all become seperately involved in a case at the Nite Owl coffee shop after half a dozen people are found to have been gunned down. Tension between the three is high after Ed Exley (Guy Pearce) testified in a police brutality case against Detective Stensland who is Bud White's (Russell Crowe) partner. It doesn't take long before Exley is in the middle of a huge case which will define his career in the police force.

The issue of crooked cops always seems to come back to Los Angeles, maybe it's just the way it used to be in the city. This film has a lot more going for it than your routine crime thriller. Starting with the script, which is always the most important thing, it's slick and clever. The plot twists and turns especially in the second half of the film but doesn't become overly confusing whilst the acting is sharp and impressive. Russell Crowe is excellent as the hot headed Officer ''Bud'' White who shows no remorse to the men that beat up women and bares his soul as to why in a touching scene with high class prostitute Lynn Bracken (Kim Basinger).

Lynn Bracken (Kim Basinger)

In many ways the film is quite cynical in it's look at the LAPD and the criminal underworld, everybody is flawed except Ed Exley who is trying to emulate his father who was killed in action. To get things done in the LAPD you have to be willing to operate outside the law no matter who you are, that is a big theme that runs through the entire movie. The whole film carries a sense of menace due to the unwavering amount of bloody shootouts and physical beatings that are handed out. The sideline plot of the police working with and being shown in a positive light in the media is also an intriguing storyline, another show of possibly police corruption.

The movie is very faithful to the book, which is highly regarded by many critics in its own right, and is totally gripping until the final scenes whilst the 1950's setting is a joy to see.

4/4 thrilling plot twists keep you gripped till the end.