Review of L.A. Confidential (1997) by Alec M — 21 Aug 2011

L.A. Confidential is as good as any crime movie can ever get. This movie explores the dark side of the Los Angeles police force and Southern California's criminal underbelly in the early 50s, when Hollywood was still seen as America's capital of glitter an glamor. Dudley Smith(James Cromwell) is the head of the LAPD, and he is very loyal to his fellow officers. He is also eager to turn a blind eye to violence and corruption within the department, as long if only the bad guys get hurt in the process.

Bud White (Russell Crowe) is a police detective who beats up men who beat up woman. He is a loose cannon. Ed Exley (Guy Pearce) is a by the book officer who wants to serve justice the right way. We see that he is a political animal, but he wants to be a deceive. People in the department don't think he has the stomach for violence. They also tell him to get rid of his glasses, he is told that deceives just don't wear glasses. Jack Vincennes (Kevin Spacey) is one of those cops that prefer the spotlight to a hard working lifestyle. He is a high profile technical adviser to a hit TV show series, Badge of Honor, and has an agreement with the editor(Danny DeVito) of a magazine called Hush Hush. It's a sleazy magazine that publishes stories and pictures showing Jack arresting celebrities. All three of these detectives get drawn in into a tangled web of betrayal and violence. The are following a multiple murder that took place in a coffee shop. It is believed to be part of a great effort by Pierce Patchett (David Strathairn), who cuts whores to look like movie stars. Bud White then falls for one of Patchett's prostitutes, Lynn Bracken (Kim Basinger). She looks just like Veronica Lake.

The casting was excellent, and so was the acting. Russell Crowe just knocks it out of the park. He plays the tough guy that we all no and love. Guy Pearce is suburb. This is one of his best performances to date. Kevin Spacey is outstanding. He really deserves another Oscar nomination for this movie. Kim Basinger is brilliant, she hadn't been in a good movie in a while. It was good to see her come back stronger than ever here. Last but not least,James Cromwell. He gives another great performance.

All the characters were developed well and were really convincing. The script could not have been better. The script was given great care, so as a result they got a great smart movie. A lot of scripts a rushed, I really hate that. A script can really help make a movie. If you choose to rush a script, you are not likely to have a good result.

Another major highlight of the movie was the atmosphere. The movie has a great feel and look to it. Everything is great here, I mean everything. This is a perfect example of how to make a good crime movie. I have nothing negative to say about this movie. This movie was one of the best of it's year, and is also one of the best crime movies ever made.