An Enjoyable Treat For Lovers Of Good Movies

Rating: 10/10 (25 February 2012)

L.A. Confidential is a neo-noir film based on James Ellroy's novel of the same title, the third book in his L.A. Quartet. Both the book and the film tell the story of a group of LAPD officers in the year 1953, and the intersection of police corruption and Hollywood celebrity. The film adaptation was produced and directed by Curtis Hanson and co- written by Hanson and Brian Helgeland.
At the time, actors Guy Pearce and Russell Crowe were relatively unknown in North America, and one of the film's backers, Peter Dennett, was worried about the lack of established stars in the lead roles. However, he supported Hanson's casting decisions and this gave the director the confidence to approach Kevin Spacey, Kim Basinger, and Danny DeVito.
This award-winning crime drama explores both the dark side of the Los Angeles police force and Southern California's criminal underbelly in the early '50s, when Hollywood was still seen as America's capital of sophistication, glitter, and glamour. Dudley Smith is the head of the LAPD and is loyal to his officers and eager to turn a blind eye to violence or corruption within his department, as long as it's the "bad guys" who are getting hurt. Bud White is a police detective whose violent and cynical nature is often at war with his basic sense of decency and justice. Ed Exley is a beat cop-turned-detective whose strict by-the-book philosophy and willingness to blow the whistle on other officers is balanced by a shrewd and opportunistic understanding of the internal politics of the department. And Jack Vincennes is a flashy "Hollywood" detective who serves as technical adviser for the TV series Badge of Honor. He is also in cahoots with Sid Hudgeons, publisher of the scandal sheet Hush Hush, who throws kickbacks to Vincennes in exchange for being brought along when showbiz figures get busted. White, Exley, and Vincennes find themselves drawn into a tangled and sticky web of violence and betrayal following a multiple murder at a coffee shop that is believed to be part of an effort by Mickey Cohen to consolidate his hold on organized crime in L.A. This lead appears to be connected to the discovery of a bizarre pornography and call-girl ring operated by Pierce Patchett, whose women are given plastic surgery so that they more closely resemble well-known movie stars. White's role in the investigation is complicated when he falls for Lynn Bracken, one of Patchett's prostitutes, who is the spitting image of Veronica Lake.
You have to pay close attention to follow the double-crossing intricacies of the plot, but the reward for your work is dark and dirty fun.With its plot that zigs and zags like knife slashes, its cynicism stoked to the melting point, the movie brings the thrill of corruption crackingly to life.Also,it is an irresistible treat with enough narrative twists and memorable characters for a half-dozen films.In summary,this film has taut pacing, brilliantly dense writing and Oscar- worthy acting combine to produce a smart, popcorn-friendly thrill ride.