Extraordinary crime drama. Hits hard and heavy.

Rating: 9/10 (26 October 2007)

Crime flick deluxe. Hard hitting and spine twisting. A blood bath at an all night 1950's diner has three Los Angeles cops investigating in their own style. Detective Jack Vincennes(Kevin Spacey)is a celebrity cop that serves as an adviser on a popular TV show. He also deals with a sleazy tabloid reporter(Danny DeVito), who keeps Vincennes in the public eye. Also investigating is a "by-the-book" detective Exley(Guy Pearce)and the rough and ready Bud White(Russell Crowe), who stops at nothing to get who or what he is after. Both men get involved with a very beautiful woman(Kim Basinger), who works with a man(David Strathairn)that has his call girls undergo plastic surgery to look like famous Hollywood glamor girls. The investigation will expose a corrupt element inside the police department. The climax features one of the best gun fights you'll ever see. Hot lead, gun smoke and cops with bullet holes in them. Also in the cast: James Cromwell, Paul Guilfoyle, Graham Beckel and Ron Rifkin. Strong violence and graphic language.