L.A. Confidential (Two-Disc Special Edition)

This move is dark, suspenseful, twisted with quite a few unexpected turns. It's one of the best suspense movies of all times. The acting and directing are convincing and gripping. This is one of the best films of Kim Basinger. I don't like her acting in most other films

"L.A. Confidential" - a classic modern Film Noir - depicts a 1950s Los Angeles riddled with corruption and vice, where no-one can be trusted. Bud White (Russell Crowe) and Ed Exley (Guy Pearce) two "clean" cops with totally contrasting approaches to their work take a stand. Writer/Director Curtis Hanson and Co-Screenwriter Brian Helgeland superbly capture the flavour of the period. The casting is perfect right down to the small roles - and it is ironic that two Australian actors playing the "good" cops should work so well in this most American of genres.

All comments linking L.A. Confidential to film noir are absolutely valid. Nevertheless, I don't love this movie because of what it compares to - it's a milestone of cinema that stands on its own two feet. There is no superfluous scene, no useless dialog that distracts from the plot, nothing showy to cover up deficits. There are no deficits. The acting, music, cinematography, and plotline are accompanied by an irony and tragedy that makes the characters feel like much more than figures crammed into a film noir mold. Just one example: the montage accompanying Hush-Hush magazine's coverage of L.A.'s crime and corruption illustrates the bitter parallel to the glossy snapshots of glamor we think of when we hear 'Hollywood'. If you want an intelligent, complex crime story, and can handle the sight of blood, this film is for you!

Exellent movie! Intelligent script with twist and turns and suspenseful. It takes active viewing, so when you watch this for the first time, pay attention! Almost everything said is important and relates to the story. No disappointments--except for losing to Titanic, but that is not the film's fault--just the academy's.

Prior to making this film noir classic in the tradition of "Chinatown", Curtis Hanson made 2 films which helped along with this film to elevate him to the A-list of directors--"The River Wild" & "The Bedroom Window" (a film noir in the tradition of Hitchcock). With the success of this film (several Oscar nominations with a win for Kim Basinger and Best Picture/Director nod), Hanson went on to make the under-rated "Wonder Boys", "8 Mile" w/Enimen and the chick flick "In Her Shoes". But none matched the success of this classic film noir based on a James Ellroy novel. Why? For one thing he had a fool-proof cast with veterans, Kevin Spacey, Danny Devito & James Cromwell matched with the 2 new Australian newcomers, Russell Crowe & Guy Pearce in their first all-American roles. Also Kim Basinger delivered a poignant Oscar winning performance as Hollywood prostitute who is redemned by her relationship with Crowe's character, Bud White. Another plus is the sharp dialogue courtesy of Ellroy and the great score by Jerry Goldsmith. If you liked "Chinatown"(which Goldsmith also contributed a memorable score) then you'll like this one. Devotees of the book may balk at the happy ending of the film versus the book but perhaps that would've lessen the films chance for box off success--who knows. If it where not for the movie about that big boat that sank, this film would've copped the Best Picture Oscar!! I can't wait for the Blu-ray release of this classic!!