A stunning distillation of Ellroy's masterpiece

Rating: 10/10 (7 May 2000)

Brian Helgeland and Curtis Hanson have adapted what many thought was impossible and come up with that rarest of Hollywood beasts ... an intelligent, adult film that treats it's audience as intelligent adults!
From the opening Danny DeVito monologue to the stunning climax this film is nothing short of brilliant. Filled with complex characters and with memorable scenes and lines (the Lana Turner scene is arguably the greatest one liner for years) this film should be seen by anyone who admires films and filmmaking.
Criminally overlooked at the Oscars by the superficial Titanic, though thankfully a commercial success, hopefully L.A. Confidential will result in a revival of intelligent film making.