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Starring Guy Pearce, Russell Crowe, Kevin Spacey, Kim Basinger, James Cromwell, Danny DeVito.
Written by Brian Helggeland and Curtis Hansen. Directed by Curtis Hanson.
A recent winner at the Toronto Film Festival, winning both critics and audience popularity awards,
L. A. Confidential is an adaptation of a James Ellroy novel about sleaze and corruption in
Hollywood in the 1950's. The story revolves around three L. A. cops. Jack Vincennes (Spacey) is a publicity
seeking cynic who acts as technical advisor to a Dragnet-like TV show, and also takes cash
from sleazy tabloid editor Sid Hudgeons (DeVito) to set up the rich and famous on bogus drug charges.
Officer Bud White (Crowe) is a tough, hot-tempered cop who would sooner beat a confession out of a
suspect than ask him nicely. He is loyal to his fellow cops, even if gets him in trouble. College trained
Ed Exley (Pearce) is a straight-arrow cop contemptous of the weakness and corruption he sees in
his colleagues. On Christmas night, a bunch of cops punch a bunch of Latino suspects, which just happens
to get caught on film and put in the papers. Exley has no problem squealing on the cops involved,
and gets a promotion to Lieutenant for his efforts. Vincennes and White are among the cops who take
the fall, but both escape with what amounts to a wrist slap. But neither has warm feelings for Exley.
One night, all hell breaks loose when a disgraced cop involved in the Christmas beatings is shot with six
others in a massacre at a little coffee-shop. The case enrages all of L. A., and threatens to splatter mud
all over the L.A.P.D. The three cops have to work together to solve the case, and Exley becomes
a hero when it appears he has solved it. But of course, there is more than meets the eye, and the
real killers are still out there. Meanwhile, White falls for a hooker cut to look like Veronica Lake (Basinger),
and the rift between him and Exley widens when he finds out Exley is also involved with her. But, the three
cops have to work together in order to survive what follows.
This film comes with plenty of advance hype. It's been compared to film noir classics like
Chinatown and The Big Sleep (one of my favourites). It lives up to its hype. The actors are all
excellent. This includes Kim Basinger, who gives depth and warmth to the hooker with the heart
of gold (tarnished somewhat). She delivers her lines with confidence and style, and is a pleasure
to watch, which for her, is not often the case. Spacey is his usual smooth and slick self, convincingly
playing the cynical opportunist who develops a bit of conscience. James Cromwell as the world-weary
Irish police chief is especially good, bringing charm and style to his character. Pearce and DeVito
are both fine, but Australian Crowe stands out, giving humanity to a man trying to control his personal
demons and the rage within. The plot briskly moves along, twisting and turning, and you're rarely
sure of who are the good guys, and who are the bad. The script uses a lot of pulp-fiction-like
dialogue, but it is fresh and snappy, although there's not a lot of humour incorporated in it. The
film is aided by authentic suits and dresses, old cars and a host of sites dressed up to look like
the 50's. The only sour note is the overly neat and sentimental ending, which I won't divulge.
Overall, L. A. Confidential is very entertaining, and one of the best films of the year.
 
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