L.A. Confidential (1997)

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A shooting at an all night diner is investigated by three LA policemen in their own unique ways.

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Directed By: Curtis Hanson

Written By: Curtis Hanson, Brian Helgeland, James Ellroy

Starring: David Strathairn, Danny DeVito, James Cromwell, Kevin Spacey, Guy Pearce, Russell Crowe, Kim Basinger, Paul Guilfoyle, Ron Rifkin, Simon Baker, Matt McCoy, Paolo Seganti

Genres: Crime, Mystery

Country: USA

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L.A. Confidential belongs to 128 collections

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All Ratings | With Reviews

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TCI | Percentile | Date Rated | # Stars (Reviews)

Stars	User	Rating
9	KasperL	99 _99th
Looking at the careers of Hanson and Helgeland before and after, there's nothing to indicate the level of filmmaking reached in 'L.A. Confidential'. The ultimate neo-noir, it's as flawless as movies get. Excellent production values and beautiful editing realize one of the most tightly plotted screenplays ever written, streamlining Ellroy's brilliant, convoluted novel. Pearce's Edmund Exley and Crowe's Bud White are two of my favorite cinema heroes.
9	TonythePony	90 _92nd
Slick neo noir with great cast, intricate plot and snappy dialogue. The story really zips along, weaving about introducing colourful characters and various puzzle pieces, punctuated with energetic action sequences. The script also delivers. Great quips abound, allowing exposition to be absorbed painlessly. Pearce and Crowe are engaging, a contrast in styles, while Spacey is just so damn cool. There's a seamlessness to this film, a uniform level of quality, that renders it supremely enjoyable.
7	djross	35 _19th
Despite this film's reputation, it is conventional and contrived, with some poor acting as well.
6	TripleSH	90 _90th
A fantastic little crime drama with strong performances from everyone involved. Danny DeVito even steps it up a notch above his usual schtick, proving that this is a serious piece of film.
6	juntakinte99	60 _22nd
Even for a film starring Kevin Spacey, this didn't age well. The love affair with classic Hollywood & Chinatown is both myopic & distracting. It's as if Fox News wanted to do their own nostalgic trip down a previous era's approach to law and order. But the racism, sexism, police brutality, and corruption are so over-the-top macho that it becomes a parody. Marginal recommendation for the picture's artistic/technical feel--although that makes it more a look book and less a movie you can quote.
5	doctor7	90 _91st
Fantastic movie. Everyone in it provides a top-form performance. The story is fantastic with twists and turns that aren't absurd and forced to be there just to make the movie complicated.
4	Ytadel	8 _93rd
One hell of a cop movie, seamlessly merging a dark and gritty vibe with 1950s L.A. glamour to intoxicating effect. It's got some shocking twists, an awesome climax, and Guy Pearce and Russell Crowe both give explosive performances. The musical score is a bit over the top, but besides that, it's terrific neo-noir and cinematic crime fiction done just right.
4	JooJoo	2 _16th
People like this? ...............seriously?
4	saucyjack	93 _96th
Excellent, excellent film noir with great performances all around. The best James Ellroy film adaptation to date questions how far one must go to sustain the law, exploring the morals man is willing to break in the pursuit of "justice" and self satisfaction. Everyone has flaws in this film and all bets are off. One of the best films of the 90s.
4	nandorizzi	80 _80th
The plot is involving and perfect, in each scene something different is discovered. A perfect reconstitution of the sceneries of the decade of 50 and great actors.
4	XakkMaster	91 _91st
Few modern noirs are as effective and even fewer perfectly capture the essence of a crime novel (moreso than historical realism). The dialogue sizzles and the action pops. The music makes you want to snap your fingers. The cinematography and set design really bring to life that L.A. mystique that was immortalized by old Hollywood. It's refreshing to see some of the leads play against character and the intricate plot lined with moral dilemmas keeps the tension alive up until the explosive ending.
3	BattleToad	93 _94th
L.A. Confidential is an all around super-cool movie. The story is terrific with a lot of twists, and the pacing is amazing. Any down time is well spent building up to something great, and it delivers. The gritty underbelly of a corrupt police force has never been shown better. Awesome!
3	TheDiceman	80 _95th
Great crime film with outstanding performances from Pearce Spacey and Crowe.
3	ozymandius10	90 _97th
Some of the best noir I've seen in quite some time. Amazing cast and story here. This film single-handedly made me a Guy Pearce fan.
3	frederic_g54	9 _90th
(2nd viewing) Amazing crime thriller: stylish, action packed and superbly acted. Where 'The Black Dahlia' was a poor and forgettable James Ellroy adaptation, this one is nothing short of eye-dazzling and intriguing. Think I'm gonna see it again.
3	amerigo	66 _14th
The best actors in the world don't save this bastard from being yet another contrived by-the-numbers mystery thats too wrapped up in itself to bother being entertaining. It's like all the uninteresting parts of The Godfather novel (i.e. all the Johnny chapters) made into a film. Tedious as hell.
3	miss jesus	58 _46th
It's as if they sterilized and spayed the novel, and removed some of its vital organs to make it commercially filmable.
3	Jeb	97 _90th
Excellent top form detective film with fine performances all around the block, especially from Pearce and Crowe, and it carries a heavily gritty vibe and depiction of a 1950s crime-ridden Los Angeles. Everything tightly smooths together and virtually nothing seems out of place at all. One of the high defining movie moments of the 90s and arguably one of the best thrillers ever made in the past couple years.
3	GordonBombay	97 _99th
The Ozzies clean up the city of Angels. This movie is an all time favourite of mine. A modern film noir with a great soundtrack. The casting is some of the best I have ever seen. The actors are made for the parts. Pearce as the scheming political animal, Crowe as the simple but good brute and Spacey as the the slick fame seeker. The plot is great and the directing is so subtle that it isn't being thrust upon the viewers. One of the best movies of its decade.
2	JRC_85	92 _91st
Spacey again. And Danny DeVito, David Strathairn, and James Cromwell. A GREAT film, deserving of every award going. Stupid Titanic....
2	svicciarelli	98 _98th
Wonderful stuff. Deep, engrossing, flawlessly acted - a masterpiece.
2	CCLZA	80 _77th
Everything in top form and it's extremely entertaining. It's like watching 5 movies in one. And how could you forget that it features a brothel with golden era star look alikes!
2	AgentSnipe	93 _98th
This is an AWESOME movie. It's got style and substance and is just plain cool to boot. The characters are well portrayed and the mystery plot is fun to follow.
2	TheDenizen	50 _26th
I love the noir feel but this movie was crushingly boring for long stretches.
2	johnwun	96 _97th
Suspense, interesting characters and oooh, a twist... My kind of movie!
2	lifeandall	93 _91st
Surprisingly clever. Great mix of characters and subplots for an interesting end.
2	Harmonica	98 _98th
L.A. Confidential is based on the belief that there are thousands of hidden stories and concealed lives that simmer in the backgrounds of everyday life. Hanson and his writing partner Brian Helgeland weave a powerful, intricate portrayal of how a city can be overflowing with corruption, celebrity drugs and sex parties, multiple divorces, and spouse swapping and yet brush it all under the carpet for the rest of the world. It is one of the most creative detective films ever and the best of 1997.
2	sully32	99 _98th
Russell Crowe's first scary good performance, although Spacey and Pearce are a solid match for him. Hell, they even wrung an Oscar performance out of Kim Basinger! Fascinating study of 1950's Hollywood and the most interesting part about it is the evolution of the relationship between Crowe and Pearce.
2	Alex Watkins	4 _70th
It may be playing dress-up, but it sure does so convincingly.
2	Skenkere	86 _93rd
Really great detective story with a very noir feel. The cast is fantastic and they all deliver, and the script is absolutely incredible. It's complicated and intricate but not so much so that it's impossible to follow. The pacing is perfect too, giving little pieces of the puzzle the whole way, leading up to an exciting climax.
2	TedDedon	86 _76th
Great take on the 50s noir style mystery movie, but lacks that particular push that a lot of the past films of this sort had. It's smart and well acted but not overly spectacular.
2	wcnitz	91 _98th
I really enjoyed everything about this movie. The story pulls you in and both Crowe and Pearce deliver. Rhythm and pace are solid throughout and the story is strong. Very good film.
2	st_fly	91 _96th
Excellent crime noir about corruption in the 50's era Los Angeles.
2	BillyShears	80 _77th
These people put scotch on their god damn frosted flakes.
2	chrisaugust	87 _87th
A strong, well acted, well told crime story with original characters and fascinating twists.
2	Luna6ix	79 _69th
I expected much more from this movie, considering its reputation. All it really is, is a decent movie, nothing spectacular. I was fairly impressed by a few scenes, but a lot of it is boring filler.
2	Gr8Googly	96 _99th
Another Top Ten movie for me. The script, which somehow manages to capture the spirit of while paring down the Elmore Leonard novel, has not a wasted minute (save for one scene with Kim Basinger) An ensemble cast including Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe and Guy Pearce and superb direction by Curtis Hanson make this the best film-noir ever. I watch this whenever it's on. Brilliant.
2	garethm	91 _92nd
This is the yardstick from which all future police detective films should be judged. Quite simply a brilliant movie !
2	PhantomZone	95 _95th
Brilliant film. Great writing, great direction and great acting.
2	sharpcool	94 _98th
For me the only flaw is the body count is too high - cops and criminals dropping like flies - cheapening it. Otherwise this is filmmaking at its best. We have great acting, smooth noir dialogue, a cool arc with Guy Pearce's character, Kim Basinger as the tough but vulnerable dame, Russell Crowe in his breakout role as a tough son of a bitch, a twisting, turning, brain-frying storyline (that I finally get after this recent second viewing), and Rollo Tomasi.
2	Anselmi86	98 _98th
It's hard not to rank any facet of this film among the best in cinematic history. The ensemble acting is phenomenal. The editing is near perfect. Hansen completely immerses his audience in the tension of the moment. But most of all, the screenplay is absolutely FLAWLESS. Just a goddamn brilliant movie that I can never watch without being floored.
2	leekenn	91 _94th
Such a good film... A strong cast and plot, and exquisitely stylish from beginning to end. This has become an all-time favorite of mine for its ability to instantly engross the viewer in its glamorous and yet seedy noir world.
2	billkerwin	96 _96th
A superb screenplay that makes a complex story seem simple, Artful direction, with many rich performances.
2	hellboy76	82 _95th
I actually really enjoyed the look and feel of everything. Then only thing I felt lacking was character development but everyone fit into their niche so well I overlooked it.
2	glumpy_99	100 _99th
Spoilers Incredible crime drama, with a top-notch array of actors all in peak form; Crowe and Pearce are great as flip-sides of naive newcomers, Cromwell unforgettable as their venal captain, DeVito wonderful as a sleaze purveyor; Basinger, Strathairn both terrific. Highlight is Spacey's cynical, weathered detective looking for redemption (and what a death scene!) Hanson makes his world of 50s L.A. strikingly convincing without being ostentatious. A rare film that never puts a foot wrong.
2	lena_c	5 _92nd
Despite the fact that I normally don't enjoy 50's gangster movies as much, this one had something to offer that even I found interesting and very well executed. Especially Mr. Crowe impressed me. *Very good.
2	friendo55	94 _96th
Until last night, I had only watched this once nearly a decade ago, and while I had fond memories of it, I really didn't remember much and found it confusing and hard to follow. This time around it was far more rewarding with a complex plot that was tied together nicely at the end. Every single performance from this perfect ensemble cast was believable and convincing. As a huge fan of film noir it made me question what took me so long to revisit it. One of the best films of the 1990s.
2	Paxton	75 _78th
I don't remember if everybody was likable or unlikable, but it's definitely one of the two.
2	Hawkins	35 _6th
This Chandleresque noir about Hollywood's sleazy upper crust is too by-the-numbers to leave a mark, frequently whiffs the genre dialogue with clunkers like "Go back to Jersey, kid. This is the city of angels, and you ain't got any wings", and personally, I just can't stand Russell Crowe.
1	fudgieb	73 _29th
I just don't remember being all that impressed although I do remember thinking that I should be.
1	rdwn29905	91 _88th
wonderful film
1	Derekstar	40 _19th
I'm not quite sure why I didn't like this movie. It was technically very good, but I was uncontrollably bored the entire time. Everyone else on the planet seems to like it, though. Someday I may have to revisit it.
1	TheWolf913	98 _99th
One of my all time favorites.
1	killgreedy	89 _81st
terrific movie
1	drnorton	92 _91st
Great crime story that I can watch over and over again without getting tired of it.
1	krylyr	100 _94th
Crime noir at its best.
1	AFlickering	3 _38th
as miraculously honed an adaptation as you'll find, but too slick, too preoccupied with being liked. there's a chilling scene in which white becomes the father he despised despite every effort to escape him, but the film doesn't want you wallowing in such filth for too long and happily pretends like that entire episode never happened so we can get a cheesy ending complete with a handshake and drive off into the sunset. "learn to pull your punches better" was probably the studio M.O.
1	Stain	90 _86th
Highly entertaining multicharacter crime story. Endlessly quotable dialogue
1	martryn	90 _93rd
Probably my favorite Russel Crowe film of all time, and probably my second favorite Spacey and Pearce films. Solid, great script, great acting, great direction from the guy that went on to do Wonder Boys, one of my favorite movies of all time. It's must see.
1	Mentaculus	73 _59th
This is well-plotted and a blast to watch, thanks to one of the best all-around casts (some of the best character actors of our time) that infuses even the lesser moments with gravitas. Unfortunately, the gun fights aren't staged well and are confusing, and the denouement is trite: taking the easy way out that the rest of the script avoids.
1	Potzblitz	95 _85th
Magnificent film. Just look at the cast!
1	febraro	80 _63rd
Apart from the wrapped up ending that didn't quite feel right, there's little not to like here.
1	joshk84	63 _29th
I never did see anything I liked that much in this movie except for the acting.
1	Dustyd	95 _99th
This is the movie that should have won best picture. Aside from a line or two that didn't sit well with me, it's flawless.
1	BudLeonard	100 _94th
My favorite film of all time.
1	Jarmann	68 _36th
Wondrful, but a bit longwinded.
1	Age Jellema	84 _96th
Very solid thriller. great acting, great atmosphere, well polished. I can not think of something weak in this movie.
1	Philip	40 _18th
So very overrated. Some of the acting is just dreadful and by the end I was bored to tears.
1	TheRev	100 _98th
GREAT MOVIE FROMA GREAT BOOK!
1	rthornhill	97 _98th
What noir films would have been if that had technicolor back in the day. Highly entertaining and highly recommended.
1	purgatos	87 _86th
Never read the book this based on, but I've read some other Ellroy and this absolutely nails the feel. Well acted, well shot, exciting and seedy as hell.
1	iceblox	86 _95th
Curtis Hanson's neo-noir cop drama is entertaining, well-laid out and packs a punch.
1	edkrak	90 _95th
Ending is too neat, but on the whole I love it.
1	Blockrocker	80 _45th
Decent 90's crime movie but not much more.
1	handsoflight	70 _41st
too boring...
1	dippyblonde	91 _80th
wot more can u want from a film. smart clever, brillant storyline. if only all films could b this good
1	foxgreen	99 _87th
Excellent film noir !!! Great Action !!! If only Jennifer Connely was in the movie.
1	moraesfelipe	75 _80th
A fantastic neo-noir, both disturbing and thrilling. It's irresistible.
1	tef	75 _35th
This is a much better movie than my ranking would indicate, but I was not grabbed by it. I've never really liked the slick talking poseur world created by intellectuals on the inside looking out.
1	begoniabol	88 _92nd
A pretty cool crime movie, with some good acting and a great twist. Didn't see it coming too. The story is a little confusing, but in the end it all comes together nicely.
1	archagon	11 _25th
Interesting serpentine plot. Some people apparently love this film for its acting, but I thought the characters were a bit unrealistic and tropey. I couldn't relate to most of them. The main villain really reminded me of Minority Report. Might rewatch at some point.
1	Seryxa	100 _93rd
Exemplary, excellently acted thriller of creeping corruption, full of surprises; only the coda disappoints.
1	smacfarl	93 _94th
Amazing cast. Wonderful Story. Hollywood ending, but that was the point right?
1	SirStuckey	70 _56th
I've seen this movie three different times and I swear to God it never sticks. I can never remember anything about it after about a month. It drives me nuts. I do know when I finish it I always find it a bit overrated.
1	yesistasty	75 _31st
Silly and fun.
1	wetwillies	100 _98th
One of those movies that could be considered perfect. There is not a single aspect that is not top-notch. Highly recommended. "Some men get the world. Others get ex-hookers and a trip to Arizona."
1	Squarehead	95 _98th
Why can't all films be like this? Intelligent, perfectly paced, tight as you like and with some fantastic performaces. Of all these, Spacey stands ahead. This is nearly the best film I have ever seen.
1	Talyn Golic	100 _99th
A movie that harkens back to the golden age of Hollywood. L.A. Confidential is a complex movie with enough plot to fill three movies, but everything comes together perfectly at the end. The film excels in every department, providing a compelling narrative backed up by powerful performances from the actors. A deeply rewarding movie that treats it's audience with intelligence and encourages multiple viewings. The best movie of the 90's.
1	zaxer	87 _95th
Thoughtful, interesting and suspenseful.
1	ioama	87 _83rd
An amazing adaption of the book by the same title! With an all-star cast featuring Russell Crowe and Kevin Spacey, three detectives weave their way through the politics of the LAPD while investigating a massacre at a cafe. The script was superb, keeping the viewer engaged throughout the film, from the beginning to the climax at the hotel. Character development was natural, although a bit linear, but overall it was great for any Hollywood hit. Highly recommended for everyone!
1	snallygaster	67 _73rd
The plot is a bit hairy but this is a great neo-noir. Exley's high-minded idealism is of course slowly corroded by the reality of the world, but what's really interesting are the suggestions that his principles simply have the effect of shifting the dirty work onto others.
1	dinamita	90 _92nd
hell yeah. guy pearce and kevin spacey are phenomenal in a tightly written, excitingly paced A-plot. the subplot with russell crowe, initially irritating, turned out to play a vital and very noteworthy role in the film's second half. only wish the final shootout had gone a little differently, but still a very exciting, well crafted film.
1	afx237vi	80 _84th
Sleek and stylish thriller that plays around with noir tropes, but does so with enough restraint that it never resembles a pastiche. Despite the LA sun, it's very dark in tone, with violence and corruption seeping into every pore of every character, no matter how incorruptible they appear on the surface. Basinger and Crowe give standout performances, although Spacey and Pearce are good value too.
1	jesselc	86 _98th
Strong performances, a good story which combines elements of reality with the fictional characters and a superb look. My only minor gripe is the occasional continuity issue from shot to shot but that is not enough to detract from what is overall a very good movie.
1	fuckchops	53 _29th
I should have had a break from the book to the film. Did the same thing with Silence Of The Lambs. The world building aspect was too rushed for me.
1	CMonster	83 _76th
Why did Danny DeVito never play a hobbit in any of the Lord of the Rings films?
1	GreatScott85	96 _88th
Brilliant stuff, a superb noir-style story with a fantastic cast.
1	Fresh	99 _97th
Taut pacing, brilliantly dense writing and Oscar-worthy acting combine to produce a smart, popcorn-friendly thrill ride.
1	myfavchords	89 _95th
This is a great ensemble cast. The film contains two great early performances by Guy Pearce and Russell Crowe. The script is great, you don't know who is going to live or what is going to happen next.
1	The Pirate	70 _31st
Not one single likable or compelling character. Call me crazy, but I don't get all the praise for this one.
1	YoSaff	93 _95th
LA Confidential is a brilliant film and one which should be better known by the public. The casting, the acting, the script, the direction, everything in this movie is sublime.
1	rickicker	73 _35th
Feels more like a cop drama in old clothes than a real continuation of the noir tradition.
1	NBD Rab	90 _91st
A slick portait of sleaze and corruption. This film oozes with old Hollywood style, and packs an impressive ensemble cast and a tight script.
1	Disaster	75 _42nd
Oh look, another film about machismo.
1	filmseeking	80 _91st
Thrilling and intriguing. The complete backstory is rather hard to follow, but the outstanding cast and the elaborate sets make up for smaller deficiencies.
1	Zipster	100 _99th
JUST. PERFECT.
1	Emrah1968	100 _93rd
Arguably the best crime movie since the golden era of classic film noir, adapted from the novel by arguably the best crime writer ever.
1	jymkata	100 _97th
Finally, a neo-noir obsessed with the noir period. A detective thriller which has such a massive hard-on for the Golden Age of Hollywood that it's willing to take everything noble from the period and shred it to corrupt, shitty ribbons. Great performances, slick dialogue and a colour palette that's all muted browns/rosy bloodstains, and not in an obvious 'Sin City' way.
1	Cluedon657	9 _81st
The best noir movie made since the 1950's.
1	bratings	96 _98th
Curtis Hanson's L.A. Confidential is unpredictable, clever, and downright bold.
1	JimmyG21189	100 _96th
L.A. Confidential is a wonderful homage to the noirs of Humphrey Bogart's era. At the same time, the film is more than a tribute to old Hollywood. It's boasts a stellar cast and wonderful performances that compliment it's tight script. The film is heavy on schmaltz, but it never becomes farce. One of my favorite films from the 90's.
1	buffratings	97 _99th
Dense, clever, and popcorn-friendly, the Oscar-worthy L.A. Confidential is one of the most entertaining crime dramas of the 1990s, and of all time.
1	larmor	38 _23rd
A fairly trashy and silly noir. Fairly cliché and conventional overall. Stereotypical characters. We get the good cop/bad cop trope and its usual evolution throughout the movie, with a weak attempt at self-awareness in the final half-hour. The femme fatale character is very superficial.
1	JonnyHalftab	87 _71st
Never as cool or as hot as Body Heat but it is more entertaining
1	hssnozdagg	63 _33rd
So flawed.

Average Percentile 70.66% from 9828 Ratings