L.A. Confidental

Curtis Hanson, USA 1997, 136 mins

The term "modern classic" is religiously used in today's cinema vocabulary, but it is rarely justified. LA Confidential is certainly an exception.

Curtis Hanson's take on James Ellroy's complex noir novel of police corruption and a series of connecting crimes in the glamorous and sleazy underworld of 1950s LA is beautifully and intelligently shot. The film gives us the real essence of what life would be like in that world of glitz and deceit: Los Angeles may be the city of angels, but in this film the characters are far from angelic.

The performances from Kevin Spacey, as flashy cop Jack Vincennes; Russell Crowe, as a bad-ass cop prone to the odd back-hander, and - surprisingly - Kim Basinger as an illicit Veronica Lake look alike are all quite outstanding. All a refreshing change from the usual charisma-lacking, special effects bonanzas that Hollywood generally churns out - even though typical Hollywood excess manages to creep in at the very end.

LA Confidential stands proud in its blatant homage to the film noir masterpieces of the 40s and 50s, being careful not to embarrass itself in the process. Even if it has created an annoying trend of Ellroy/Leonard novel-to-film nostalgia-trip movie making.

Keith Thomson
EUFS Programme 1998-99