Character Driven-great piece

Rating: 10/10 (25 May 1999)

Hollywood is not known for great cinema like this. They could have ruined it, by casting more marketable names, but they didn't. They could have dumbed it, by explain everything that happened in every single scene, but they didn't. This is a wonderful piece driven by the characters. Hanson and Helgeland achieved a manageable story from a book that could never have been adapted in the wrong hands. The acting is just superb. I am still stewing about all the people upset or surprised that Leonardo DiCaprio did not get nominated, what about the lead male cast members of LA Confidential? Kevin Spacey was sublime, as usual. I mean, can this man give a bad performance? Methinks not! Russell Crowe was really impressive as the troubled Bud White (the only character with redeeming features in Ellroy's book). And, of course, Guy Pierce. He was excellent as the political animal, Ed Exley. I ranted and raved for months when Titanic beat LAC for the best picture Oscar! But an aside to Mr Cameron: ever heard of Character Development? Enough said! Best movie of the past 10 years, easy!