Review of L.A. Confidential (1997) by Nicolò M — 04 Jan 2015
Curtis Hanson and Brian Helgeland's well-oiled retool of Ellroy's devilishly manifold tale of police corruption in '40s Hollywood should be held up as the very pinnacle of novel-to-script revisualization: a robust reworking with an eye on the beats that give every good drama its pulse, while still embracing the bitter core of the source material.
After a brutal multiple homicide in a diner, three detectives with their own separate motives for solving the case begin investigating with their own brand of justice. To say the script spins wildly out of control from there would be selling it short.
This is a script that gets so bloated with "how high up does this go?" progression, so packed with side stories, so filled with characters, that it seems impossible for it to wrap up everything sufficiently.
But by some miracle Helgeland's script crams everything it can into 138 minutes and still manages to wrap a bow on it. Every facet of LA Confidential embodies the theme of the very noir films it takes inspiration from; it's slick and suave on the outside, with a dirty, corrupt center.
Boasting the most complex script on this list and the strongest trio performance ever shown on film, LA Confidential is beautifully constructed and a nigh-on perfect interpretation of a remarkable book.
As violent as it is intelligent, as moving as it is brutal, it's a must-see for anyone who has even a passing interest in film.
This review of L.A. Confidential (1997) was written by Nicolò M on 04 Jan 2015.
L.A. Confidential has generally received very positive reviews.
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