One Of The Greatest Movies Ever!

Rating: 10/10 (14 August 2002)

I'd seen the end of this movie once, and I'd seen the start another time, but I'd never watched the whole thing from beginning to end. Last night I finally did after buying it on DVD. I wasn't disappointed.
The plot centres on three cops, Bud White (Crowe), Ed Exley (Pearce) and Jack Vincennes (Spacey) as they try to uncover the truth behind a mass murder incident at the Nite Owl diner.
Jack Vincennes, known as Hollywood Jack, is the technical advisor for a hit TV police drama, and the closest thing to a celebrity in the LAPD. He receives bribes to arrest celebrities while crooked photographer Sid Hudgeons (DeVito) takes their photo for Hush-Hush, his sleazy tabloid dirtsheet. Kevin Spacey is perfect in the role, cool and slick on the exterior, yet showing Jack's hidden self-loathing perfectly.
Bud White is an officer who is a success in the LAPD for brawn more than brains, often resorting to violence. He has a deep hatred for woman-beaters due to the fact that his father abused his mother. He is a loose cannon who appears set to go off at any given time. Forget Gladiator, this is Russell Crowe at his career best.
Guy Pearce is equally mesmerising in his performance as LAPD golden-boy Ed Exley. We dislike him enormously at first, when he snitches on all his partners and becomes despised within the force. However, he rises to the role of protaganist as the unforgettable climax looms closer.
James Cromwell impresses in the thankless role of Captain Dudley Smith, the Chief Of Detectives who acts as a father-figure of sorts to Exley and White. It's not until the last hour or so that we can really appreciate Cromwell's performance.
Danny Devito is suitably slimy as Sid Hudgeons, hte sleazy tabloid reporter. Devito's stature really adds to that poison dwarf character of Hudgeons, and even his voice is perfect.
Ironically, Kim Basigner, the only one of the six to get recognised with an Oscar, impresses least. She plays Lynn Bracken, a prostitute in business solely because she looks like Veronica Lake. It's not that she's bad that she impresses least, it's just because everybody else is so good.
Overall, this movie is a masterpiece, and while Jack Nicholson deserved the Oscar for Best Actor in 1997, no way in hell did "Titanic" deserve Best Movie when LA Confidential was nominated. It might be quite daunting with its labyrinthine plot, and imposing length, but don't let that put you off. This is one of those movies that I think everyone has to see.
10/10