Review of Mulholland Falls (1996) by Stuart K — 15 Jul 2009
A noirish police detective film from New Zealand director Lee Tamahori, which is a good ensemble piece, and in terms of noir in Los Angeles, it predated L.A. Confidential by a year. It's an underrated film which borrowed alot of it's tone and structure from Chinatown, but it's a good thriller while it lasts.
Set in the early 1950's, it follows a special crime squad of the LAPD, which consists of Max Hoover (Nick Nolte), Elleroy Coolidge (Chazz Palminteri), Eddie Hall (Michael Madsen) and Arthur Relyea (Chris Penn).
They're investigating the murder of Allison Pond (Jennifer Connelly), who seemed to have clandestine trysts with General Thomas Timms (John Malkovich), who is the leader of the Atomic Energy Commission, which is based out in the Nevada desert.
Along the way, the team uncover a hidden agenda which has resulted in the death of many army officers in atomic tests. It's a rough, tough film. But, it has a visually sparse look and tone, rather like film noirs of the time, but this is in colour, with added sex and violence.
But, it's got a good cast, it's well made and it's got a good gripping plot, well worth a look.
This review of Mulholland Falls (1996) was written by Stuart K on 15 Jul 2009.
Mulholland Falls has generally received mixed reviews.
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