L.A. Confidential Movie Information

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Movie Information

Overall Rank: 151

Average Rating: 3.2/4

# of Ratings: 551

Theatrical Release Date: 09/19/1997

Blu-ray/DVD Release Date: 09/23/2008

Language: English

Genre: Mystery, Crime

MPAA Rating: R

Director: Curtis Hanson

Actors: Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, Kevin Spacey, Kim Basinger, David Strathairn, Danny DeVito

Plot: A rookie "do good" cop investigates murders and corruption in LA, while other cops do the same, trying to figure out the shooter and the corruption.

Logan D. McCoy - wrote on 06/24/2019

Benefiting from strong writing and effortless performances, this brilliant neo-noir follows not one, not two, but three 1950s L.A. detectives.

Gabe - wrote on 06/19/2014

A wonderful film with a great cast. Everybody involved was at their best in this engrossing film. Even after seeing this film multiple times it never gets old. The cinematography is breathtaking and the screenplay deservedly won the Academy Award. This tale of corruption in the Los Angeles police department in 1950 will grab hold of you and it won't let go until the credits roll. Russell Crowe has never been better, and yes I'm including the overrated Gladiator in that statement. This is a must see that ran into the juggernaut that was Titanic that year at the Academy Awards, although I prefer Boogie Nights out of all movies released in 1997.

Matthew Brady - wrote on 02/18/2014

A rookie "do good" cop investigates murders and corruption in LA, while other cops do the same, trying to figure out the shooter and the corruption. This movie has a excellent cast and characters and acting.

memento_mori
Producer

Another title on the Favorites list

memento_mori - wrote on 07/07/2013

'I wouldn't trade places with Edmund Exley right now for all the whiskey in Ireland.'

I'll say it: The movie is fantastic. It does everything correctly.
The story is about police corruption and investigation in the fifties, centering around three characters played by Russell Crowe, Kevin Spacey and Guy Pearce respectively.
It's a very delicate topic, and can be done wrong easily, but here it succeeds with a passion.
I don't know where to begin. The acting of the trio is Oscar-worthy, and some of the dialogue they jump back and forth with is incredible. At times I believed that everything was natural and unscripted. This brilliant collection of actors just really knows how to read lines and make them seem authentic.
To me, the most important trait of this film is the group of …

MovieAddict
Producer

A Masterfully Spun Web of Corruption....

MovieAddict - wrote on 12/09/2012

It is the early 1950s, and the L.A. police department, rampant with corruption, tackles the sleazy underbelly of the city. The film focuses on three different types of cops, the brutal Officer Russell Crowe (as aggressive hothead Wendell "Bud" White who lives to beat confessions out of suspects and to punish woman beaters), aspiring Lieutenant Guy Pearce (as Edmund "Ed" Exley) who operates "by the book" and Sergeant Kevin Spacey (as Jack Vincennes) who derives great satisfaction from being the technical adviser on a popular TV cop show called "Badge of Honor".

All three actors turn in fine performances, along with Kim Basinger, (who won an Oscar for playing a prostitute who's a Veronica Lake look-alike), veteran Captain James Cromwell (as Dudley Smith), "Hush-Hush" tabloid reporter …

Daniel Corleone
Movie God

L.A. Confidential review

Daniel Corleone - wrote on 02/07/2012

A story of Detectives, Wendell "Bud" White (Russell Crowe), Detective Jack Vincennes (Kevin Spacey), and a Sergeant named Edmund Exley (Guy Pearce). Sid Hudgens (Danny DeVito), publisher of Hush-Hush, a Hollywood sleaze magazine Lynn Margaret Bracken (Kim Basinger) are involved. Some fine quotes: Ed - "All I ever wanted was to measure up to my father." Loew - "C'mon, don't pull that good-cop bad-cop crap. I practically invented it."

The plot was brilliant and pace of the story was right. Its score, costumes and screenplay were endearing and fitting. Each character had its own personality and is likable to a fault. Definitely one of the best 90's multi-nominated film. Theme's of police corruption, loyalty and persistence were presented. L.A. Confidential is a wonderful crime …