Best film of the 90s

Rating: 10/10 (9 December 2001)

Every so often, all the elements come together to create a truly memorable viewing experience. LA Confidential is such a movie.
From the taut, clever (and often funny) script to the outstanding casting, from the exceptional production design to the inspired direction, this film has everything going for it and easily bears repeated viewing.
The story of three very different policemen and the manner in which their lives intersect is handled with skill and intelligence by all involved and, as the story unfolds, the twists and turns leave the viewer engrossed. Bud White (Russell Crowe), Jack Vincennes(Kevin Spacey) and Edmund Exley (Guy Pearce) represent three different types of men all searching for a form of salvation - the ambitious and prim Exley to be released from the shadow of his father's murder, the vain and showy Vincennes for validation through a quasi-fame and the abusing and abused White for love. How these men change as events force them to confront their demons is the film's emotional core.
All the major players are excellent (Guy Pearce and James Cromwell being the standouts for me) but it is the minor players who really hold the film together. Think of Mrs Lefferts and her sad, little life or the slimy, morally bankrupt DA. The casting of all the characters is exceptional and a major contributor to the film's success.
The script is intelligent and does justice to James Ellroy's book and the cinematography, costuming and design evoke the feel of LA in the 50s.
Curtis Hanson has fashioned a film noir for the 90s which was criminally overlooked at the Academy Awards in favour of the risible Titanic. The three main leads could all have won Best Actor (and should have all been nominated) and Cromwell should have won Best Supporting Actor.
If you enjoy intelligent, compelling film-making, then this is the film for you.