An all-time fave! Perfect!

Rating: 10/10 (5 September 2006)

I hardly ever give 10 out of 10, but this film deserves it! It can be viewed over and over and new things still show up. It is gritty; it is a period piece with loving attention to detail; it is sordid; it has GREAT acting; it has twists and turns; it has a great cast! More than anything, it transports you to a time long ago, and makes you believe in it. I remember seeing the movie in the theater, and a week later couldn't remember the names of Russell Crowe or Guy Pearce (lol), but the film stuck with me. I also remember not understanding some things until watching a second time. Now it seems obvious, and just shows how perfect a script it is. Had 'Titanic' not been released the same year, 'L.A. Confidential' would have done better at the Oscars. I remember Kim Basinger promoting the movie on David Letterman. Her husband was releasing 'The Bear' at the same time. She said on the show something like, "Come see my movie. Who cares about a dumb bear?" 'The Bear' was simplistic next to this, and so Kim had a hard time 'selling' the film to the talk show audience. Our movie group loves coming up with trivia questions about this movie. Name the motel? The diner? The town Kim's character was from? We don't do that with 'Titanic', lol... 'L.A. Confidential' is one of the all-time greatest!