Kinetic Modern-Day Noir

Rating: 9/10 (16 July 2009)

This terrifically exciting modern-day noir is like a crime thriller from the 1940s given an extra jolt of color, violence and profanity. Director Curtis Hanson created one of the best and most memorable American film to be released that year, even if it got steamrolled by that cinematic behemoth, "Titanic."
"L.A. Confidential" has a fabulous ensemble of male actors cast as its cops and robbers -- Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce and Kevin Spacey all do sensational work. Unfortunately, there wasn't room for any of them at year-end awards time, and it fell to the lone female, Kim Basinger as a Veronica Lake style femme fatale, to represent the film at the Academy Awards by winning the Best Supporting Actress Oscar. Basinger looks the part, but she's window dressing. This film belongs to its men.
A kinetic and wildly entertaining movie.
Grade: A