Neo-noir at it's best

Rating: Null/10 (22 May 2004)

L.A. CONFIDENTAL C-136min****(1997)D:Curtis Hanson. Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, James Cromwell, Kim Bassinger, David Strahaim, Danny DeVito. Superb adaptation of James Ellroy's gritty homage to film noir about three detectives, Spacey, a big hotshot T.V. police advisor, Crowe, a defender of women against abusers and Pearce, an ambitious yet naive detective are involved in a complex
case of sex, scandal, and murder. Strange, fascinating mystery in the best Hammett/Chandler tradition is vivid and atmospheric, all thanks to the superb cast including Bassinger, who richly won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar as the Veronica Lake-ish femme fatale who's surrounded by her Oscar-worthy costars including Cromwell as the police captain who's more important than you think. Atmosphericly directed by Hanson, who with Brian Helgeland won a Best Adapted
Screeplay Oscar. A modern masterpiece of filmaking.