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Thanks to its star-studded cast and its gripping story (mixed with a little bit of Hollywood dirt, just for kicks) writer/director Curtis Hanson’s Oscar-winning crime drama, L.A. Confidential, has become a modern classic—one that’s definitely worthy of a two-disc special edition re-release.
Based on the novel by James Ellroy, L.A. Confidential follows three very different cops in 1950s Los Angeles as they investigate a coffee shop shooting that killed a fellow cop.
Ed Exley (Guy Pearce) is a young cop with lofty aspirations. He’ll do whatever it takes—including testifying against fellow officers—to rise through the ranks. And when he takes down the high-profile shooting’s suspects, he gets the career boost he’s been looking for.
He’s joined by Jack Vincennes (Kevin Spacey), a hotshot detective with a love of all things Hollywood. When Jack comes down with a case of conscience, he becomes obsessed with a case that’s been swept under the LAPD’s rug.
Finally, there’s Bud White (Russell Crowe), a tough cop with a heart of gold. Bud lost his partner in the coffee shop shooting—and he’s convinced that it was more than just another random crime.
L.A. Confidential is so much more than just another fluffy, shoot-‘em-up crime thriller; it’s an extremely complicated puzzle, offering up an endless parade of characters and subplots. It’s filled with scandal and corruption—from drug-running Mob bosses to cops with questionable morals to millionaires dealing in high-class hookers. And the story twists and turns in every direction. In fact, there’s so much going on that you’ll need to pay attention—especially on your first viewing—or you might just find yourself hopelessly lost.
Still, despite the plethora of winding storylines and the mile-long list of characters, everything comes together almost flawlessly, making L.A. Confidential an irresistible film. It moves along at a deliberate pace—which, along with its old-Hollywood glamour, helps to give it a classic, noir-like quality. It’s scandalous and dishy—and it’s often surprising.
The characters, too, are surprising. The main characters—and even most of the supporting characters—are complex and multi-faceted. And no matter how tough they may seem, each one has a weakness or two. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that they’re portrayed by a stellar cast. From the three main actors to the supporting cast—including David Strathairn, Danny DeVito, and Oscar winner Kim Basigner—each and every one gives a solid performance.
Crammed with mystery, scandal, and intriguing characters, L.A. Confidential definitely isn’t a brainless crime thriller—so you probably shouldn’t watch it after a long, exhausting day of work. But if you’ve somehow missed this modern classic, pick up a copy on a quiet Saturday night. You’re sure to find that it’s a mystery well worth investigating.
DVD Review:
The new special edition DVD release of L.A. Confidential is every bit as packed with features as the movie itself is packed with characters and storylines. On the first disc, you can watch the film on its own, or you can choose to watch it with the music-only track (highlighting the Oscar-nominated score) or with the commentary track, which includes observations from several members of the cast and crew.
The set’s second disc, however, is nothing but extras. The making-of feature gives an overview of the process—from pre-production through casting, set production, and costume design, ending with the film’s critical acclaim. Then there are a number of features that take a closer look at the specifics—like the visual style, the cast, and the locations. Also included on the disc is the pilot for the L.A. Confidential TV series (starring Keifer Sutherland as Jack Vincennes), which never made it into production.
The set also includes a CD sampler, featuring six of the songs from the film—from artists like Johnny Mercer and Dean Martin.
For fans of L.A. Confidential, this new special edition release is a must-see. The hours of extras provide a plentitude of interesting insights into every step of the process—and they’ll only add to your appreciation of the film.
