L.A. Confidential (1997)

Director: Curtis Hanson

Starring: Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce

As corruption grows in 1950s Los Angeles, three policemen – one strait-laced, one brutal, and one sleazy – investigate a series of murders with their own brand of justice.

After a brawl between police officials and Mexicans at a police station, Sergeant Ed (Guy Pearce) testifies against his colleagues. This makes him extremely unpopular, but he is determined to prove himself, and against all odds surprises the entire police force. Ed is a very determined character, well portrayed by Guy Pearce, and by far my favorite character.

There’s no denying ‘L.A. Confidential’ is a stylish thriller, but darn, there’s just too much going on here for one film! Apart from Ed’s story, Danny de Vito stars as a reporter, who offers information to Vincennes (Kevin Spacey), a celebrity cop. Then there’s officer Bud White (Russell Crowe), a brute character with a short temper. Oh, and then there’s Pierce (David Strathairn), a billionaire who constructs freeways, but he also rents out high class whores – after making them look like famous celebrities. Whatever the freeway construction has to do with anything, is still beyond me… Now there’s still room for a romantic interest between one of the whores (Kim Basinger) and Bud White, further complicated by a love triangle between her and Bud and Ed… Then there’s still drugs, and something about homosexuality that I have no idea how it’s suppose to play a part in the movie. And the cops are still investigating the Nite Owl coffee shop massacre… Heavenly Mary and Joseph, enough already!!! This should have been a TV mini series. I’m exhausted just thinking about all this activity!!

And honestly, there were too little to keep me interested (!!) – at least until the final 30 minutes, when it became very interesting, with a few twists and some action.

The mind baffles how this film is the 125th highest rated movie of all time (according to IMDB). This is clearly not my cup of tea, but critics loved it! ‘L.A. Confidential’ received no less than 178 nominations, winning 93 including 2 Oscars…!! Clearly I’m missing something here. Yes, the cast was exceptionally good, and the film is well made, but so many plots and sub-plots for one film?!!

At the box office, ‘L.A. Confidential’ earned $126 million on a $35 million budget.

Would I watch it again? No.