Watch This Spacey

Rating: 8/10 (31 August 2009)

This is a logical extension of the great noirs of the 40s, Chandler's The Blue Dahlia etc. It's the kind of movie that Martin Scorcese and/or Quentin Tarentino MIGHT make if, as they should be, both were heavily sedated during shooting. In other words although L.A. Confidential IS violent at times the violent is only a percentage of the film as opposed to the be all and end all with Scorcese and Tarentino. Here the violence punctuates a highly stylish thriller in which several strands are artfully woven into a fine tapestry with a subtlety and sophistication totally alien to and beyond the capabilities of Scorcese and Tarentino. The acting and direction are uniformly first class throughout and Hansen's love of and respect for the 'old' Hollywood is palpable in every frame. One to cherish.