L.A. Confidential [1997]

See Larger Image	Manufacturer: Warner Home Video Starring: Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, Kim Basinger, James Cromwell Directed By: Curtis Hanson Average Customer Rating:


Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Audience Rating: Suitable for 18 years and over Binding: DVD EAN: 7321900149136 Format: Dubbed Label: Warner Home Video Manufacturer: Warner Home Video Number Of Discs: 1 Number Of Items: 1 Publisher: Warner Home Video Region Code: 2 Release Date: 2006-06-01 Running Time: 132 Studio: Warner Home Video Theatrical Release Date: 1997-09-19
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Editorial Reviews: In a time when it seems that every other movie makes some claim to being a film noir, LA Confidential is the real thing--a gritty, sordid tale of sex, scandal, betrayal and corruption of all sorts (police, political, press--and, of course, very personal) in 1940s Hollywood. The Oscar-winning screenplay is actually based on several titles in James Ellroy's series of chronological thriller novels (including the title volume, The Big Nowhere and White Jazz)--a compelling blend of LA history and pulp fiction that has earned it comparisons to the greatest of all Technicolour noir films, Chinatown. Kim Basinger richly deserved her Supporting Actress Oscar for her portrayal of a conflicted femme fatale; unfortunately, her male costars are so uniformly fine that they may have canceled each other out with the Academy voters: Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, Kevin Spacey and James Cromwell play LAPD officers of varying stripes. Pearce's character is a particularly intriguing study in Hollywood amorality and ambition, a strait-laced "hero" (and son of a departmental legend) whose career goals outweigh all other moral, ethical and legal considerations. If he's a good guy, it's only because he sees it as the quickest route to a promotion. --Jim Emerson
Spotlight customer reviews: Customer Rating: Summary: "It'll look like justice. That's what the man got." Comment: Curtis Hanson has managed to direct a film which captures the late 1940's in both style and spirit. Often films depicting the glamourous side of this era immerse themselves too much in the styles and fashions of the time, rendering the actual characters superfluous to the movie. Not here though - the characters drive the film, blending in perfectly with the directing style swaying effortlessly to capture the gritty and the classic-Hollywoodesque, the guy has done his homework. Risks were taken by casting relatively unknown non-Americans in the two major roles, a rare thing by a Hollywood studio. It's hard to imagine anyone else but Russell Crowe as the fiery `Bud' and at times Guy Pierce seems a bit awkward as `Exley' - but this isn't a flaw in his acting, this is him bringing the character to life. It goes without saying that Spacey steals the screen whenever he's on. Those eerie, soul-less, dead eyes can say more in a moment than a full acting troupe speed-reading a page of Shakespeare. I'm less convinced by Kim Bassinger - she's certainly not poor in the role, but she is possibly the only aspect of the film chosen for the aesthetic over everything else. Instead of introducing characters with a definite persona, we are allowed to grow to like them as we see past their faults, through the ugliness. This is a film about facades and selling an image, the Hollywood backdrop is the perfect real life allegory for this. The characters have a past, they have depth, and each is important to the film. In a nutshell: If the US Studios produced more films like this then they probably wouldn't be looked down upon by high-browed film lovers. Unfortunately we shouldn't expect them too often as they don't rake in the dollars like an idiotic teen-flick. Customer Rating: Summary: Brilliant Comment: Fantastic storyline and an amazing cast all played to perfection. I can't believe I've only just seen this film! Well worth the money as its gripping and incredibly entertaining. Anyone who says this is a bad film shouldn't be allowed to watch them. Customer Rating: Summary: RUBISH Comment: BORING AND RUBISH , DON'T BOTHER. I DIDN'T EVEN INTERESTED TO FINISH THE FILM. NOT SEXY, OR GOOD STORY. WASTE YOUR TIME Customer Rating: Summary: Phenomenal Comment: I have watched this film about 50 times and it's never boring. From Curtis Hanson's direction, Brian Helgeland's script and the performances of the three leads, this is perfect in almost every way. Each time I watch it I spot more subtleties that I hadn't noticed before. The story is just about perfect, and the fact that Hollywood doesn't churn out more thrillers like this is a major disappointment. This is probably the best performance of Russel Crowe's career, or Kevin Spacey's come to that. Guy Pearce is also excellent as Ed Exley. If you want to see an intelligent film that's also very believable and full of action, then this is it. Outstanding. Customer Rating: Summary: The Perfect Film Comment: This movie is a must see. The cast is excellent and the story is addictive, in depth and full of twists. In fact there's not many reasons to dislike this movie! Guy Pearce plays a straight good cop. Russell Crowe plays a slightly dodgy bad cop. Kevin Spacey plays a "media loving" cop and I won't say any more because it will give it all away. Needless to say there are movies that you MUST SEE - Like Goodfellows, The Godfather, Ben Hur etc. I would easily rate this film as a must see along side those classics. If you've seen it them you'll kow what I'm saying. If you haven't, then what are you waiting for? More Reviews