Review of L.A. Confidential (1997) by Xgary X — 20 May 2013

Three detectives with very different agenda and motives unite to investigate the shooting death of an off duty cop, uncovering corruption and a conspiracy to take over organized crime. L.A. Confidential is set within the dichotomy that is Hollywood's surface glamour and underlying seediness, all of which is lapped up by the salacious media in the form of sleazy paparazzi Danny DeVito.

Russell Crowe was the perfect casting choice for Bud White, a strong armed "detective" who is used as a mindless battering ram by his superiors but wants to become something more and Guy Pearce is similarly excellent as the straight arrow cop who is despised by his peers but consumed with ambition.

The happy ending feels a little tacked on, but otherwise the entire cast is pretty much flawless and as the multi-layered plot unfolds it grabs you by the throat and refuses to let go. Throw in a wonderful sense of period, brilliantly oppressive soundtrack and smart, hard boiled dialogue it's a superb re-visitation of the classic Noirs of the 40s and 50s and ranks as one of the very best films of the 90s.