Review of L.A. Confidential (1997) by Garrett R — 13 Oct 2011
LA CONFIDENTIAL is an amazing Golden Age of Los Angeles crime story that never ceases to deliver a dense story with multiple narrative twists, motivated and multi-layered characters, superb direction, and a taut sense for pacing/editing. Director Curtis Hanson has crafted a masterpiece of the noir and crime genre, 50 years going after the noir and crime genres experienced their heyday. And the source material from James Ellroy had silver-screen written all over it in the first place.
Kevin Spacey as the showboat narcotics cop Jack, Russell Crowe as the hands-on cop Detective White, Guy Pearce as the career-inclined yet loyal-to-the-law Lt. Huxley, Danny DeVito as the sleazeball writer for the gossip magazine "Hush-Hush", James Cromwell as the police captain Dudley Smith, Kim Basinger as the gorgeous and knowledgable dame, an appearance from "The Mentalist"'s Simon Baker, and David Strainharn as a rich businessman...the entire cast showcases James Ellroy's motivated and multi-layered characters of LA CONFIDENTIAL with natural charm, ease, force, seriousness, and even humor to their juicy roles.
Curtis Hanson's direction, as the best showcases of the profession are, seamlessly disappears as the plot thickens around every character in the story. How his editor utilizes a taut pace through the mis én scene and the obviously amazing storyboard is remarkable. Jerry Goldsmith's score enhances every dramatic, intimate, and violent moment in LA CONFIDENTIAL.
LA CONFIDENTIAL is a classic '90s film, a masterpiece of the noir and crime genre, and a faithful adaptation of James Ellroy's respected novel. Required viewing for all film buffs, historians, noir and crime viewers, and fans of the previously mentioned actors. Not for kids, of course.
This review of L.A. Confidential (1997) was written by Garrett R on 13 Oct 2011.
L.A. Confidential has generally received very positive reviews.
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