A modern classic

Rating: 9/10 (20 August 2002)

Hey, maybe I'm just a Spacey fan, but I love this film. The plot revolves around three police officers (Russell Crowe, Kevin Spacey, Guy Pearce) working on different cases that coincide, set in early 1950's LA. You feel as if you're really experiencing the debauchery, the sleaze and the glamour; walking amongst film sirens, downtrodden actors and corrupt cops. The storyline is set at a good pace and I didn't feel bored at all during the film, as the action is spliced with interesting subplots that will eventually all make sense at the end.
The acting by Spacey and Pearce is exceptional (Crowe didn't actually have to act much apart from his scenes with his love interest) with the latter pulling off the perfect ambitious backstabber. This movie is for those who enjoy the crime genre, obviously, although there is quite a large firefight at the end it concentrates more on the characters and their investigations. There is also solid backup from Kim Basinger, James Cromwell, (and my favourite character) Danny Devito as the amoral trash reporter.
An extremely well-made movie, definitely in my top ten. The only possible bad thing about LA Confidential that I can see is that some people just despised the film because of Guy Pearce's character's actions at the end of it. I actually found it refreshing, because it remains to his character and we're given no traditional Hollywood morality lessons. Anyway, 9 out of 10 from me.