L.A. Confidential (1997)
Everything we love about noir crime classics.
Presentation:
Curtis Hanson creates one of the best crime mysteries through a tight, smart script and utilizing an incredibly talented cast. Russell Crowe is your reliable strongman, Guy Pearce intelligent foil alongside Kevin Spacey whom has a lesser presence but is charismatic as always. The relationships of these cops are wonderfully juxtaposed for our entertainment in a thrilling plot that you’d find from 50s noir films, except in a modern polished way. Drugs, scandal, sex, corruption, evidence, policing, detective and L.A. noir atmosphere make this film encapsulate the greatness of decades of cinema. All characters feel alive and you are never bored for one second with impeccable pacing and drama. The cast and character dynamics alone make this film exceptional. Soundtrack is appropriately slick.
Conclusion:
They don’t really make films like this anymore. I much prefer this film over Chinatown as it has it all: the action, the substance, the thrill, the deception. There aren’t many films that can make you admire a hated character and the reverse, but this film accomplishes it all. It has detective style in spades and is quite unique in that regard, unlike more serious thrillers from Fincher. This makes the reward at the end arguably less profound, but it never misleads you into expecting it. It’s fun with all the ups and downs that make it one of the most enjoyable movies to watch. It may not be powerful enough to be a masterpiece, but it’s a must watch because it’s uniquely the best of its genre and guaranteed satisfaction.
Recommendations
Before there was thriller there was Hitchcock.