L.A. Confidential | Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe | Officer Bud White & the thin line between good...

L.A. Confidential | Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe | NOW THIS IS NOIR

DVDs:

L.A. Confidential

	L.A. Confidential Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe Warner Home Video, 1998 average customer review:based on 315 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Officer Bud White & the thin line between good cop/bad cop

Frequently in film noir, the main character, or protagonist, is far from perfect. In fact, often the protagonist is almost as corrupt (sometimes even more corrupt) as the villian(s). Few noir films illustrate this better than L.A. Confidential. In this case, the protagonist, Bud White (played by Russell Crowe), is a cop with a very short fuse. He's not exactly what you'd call a crooked cop, although he does carry out some cold-blooded dirty work for his boss (James Cromwell). Three important characteristics of Bud White are that he has a very violent temper, he is very sympathetic towards women in need of help, and he is dedicated to bringing criminals to justice, at all costs. As the film progresses, Bud's goal of solving the murder of a fellow cop is complicated by his falling in love with a prostitute (played by Kim Basinger) that's loosely involved in the case.

Early in the film we see how Officer White can lose his temper with wife-beaters. Bud has undoubtably seen much crime and bloodshed as a cop in L.A., yet the site of a battered woman neer fails to make his blood boil. Bud's anger towards men who mistreat women is so extreme that at one point in the film he murders a black man who'd taken part in the kidnap and rape of a young woman. Bud's explosive temper earns him special recognition from the crooked chief of detectives (James Cromwell), who uses Bud to mercilessly beat criminals into confessing. He also gets Bud used to the idea of planting evidence and executing known criminals without going through the formality of an arrest and trial. Finally, Bud manages to control his temper enough to work with two other cops (played Kevin Spacey and Guy Pearce) in order to bring the crooked chief of detectives to justice. As the viewer sees during the shootout near the end of the movie, Bud pays a big price for his violent ways in the past.

Bud's dedication to bringing criminals to justice can be very intense. His hatred for criminals is also intense, as illustrated by the scene where he joins other officers in beating several handcuffed hispanic prisoners. This scene also reveals a possibly racist attitude in Bud's mind, although his hatred of criminals is obviously his primary reason for beating them up. If racism plays any role at all in Bud's violent temper, it merely serves an afterthought. After the murder of a fellow cop, Bud begins a personal hunt for the killers that is detoured by two different events. First, several young black men are killed in a shootout and it is announced that they were the ones responsible for the murder. But the evidence against them had been planted, and by the time Bud learns that it was the chief of detectives that was responsible for the death of the policeman, his life is already in danger. Plus, furthur complicating matters is the fact that a prostitute whom Bud has fallen in love with is connected with the case and her life is also in danger. Bud's violent temper, dedication to bringing criminals to justice, and his deep sympathy for women in danger make his relationship with the prostitute very complicated, to say the least.

Bud White is typical of other policemen in noir films who may do some very unscrupulous acts throughout the story but by the end of the film have redeemed themselves, usually through some brave and dangerous act involving a shootout with the villain(s). Some older examples of this type of character are Robert Taylor in "Rogue Cop", Robert Ryan in "On Dangerous Ground", and Preston Foster in "Kansas City Confidential". Bud White is such an interesting character because I believe people enjoy seeing cops portrayed in movies as violent and intimidating. "L.A. Confidential" is a well-crafted film noir with a cast to die for: Russell Crowe, Kevin Spacey, Guy Pearce, Kim Basinger, Danny DeVito, and James Cromwell are all superb. The special edition DVD has some very entertaining features including a documentary with interviews with the cast, as well as a fun interactive L.A. Confidential map. So, "off the record, on the QT and very hush-hush", this excellent movie is definitely a must for anyone who likes watching cops on both sides of the law, sexy "dames", heartless villians, and deadly shootouts. Highest recommendation!

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NOW THIS IS NOIR

This stunning 1998 film got sunk by a certain vessel called TITANIC. Curtis Hanson's brilliant adaptation of the James Ellroy novel did win two Oscars: it's script by Hanson and Brian Helgeland and supporting actress for Kim Basinger. But since TITANIC was such a "titanic" hit, LA CONFIDENTIAL lost the Best Picture Oscar, and it should have won. There's nothing to find wrong in this blistering study of corruption, murder, prostitution and betrayal. The male performers are simply outstanding: Guy Pearce is mesmerizing as the idealistic cop who undergoes a metamorphosis; Russell Crowe is the "tough" cop whose fierce loyalty and brutality form his core; James Cromwell as the captain who takes Pearce under his wing; Kevin Spacey as the police consultant for the tv show, "Badge of Honor" and who suddenly sees the light when a male hooker is murdered; David Straithairn as the slimy founder of an elite hooker service; Danny DeVito as the magazine editor always chasing the big scoop; and of course Ms. Basinger who gives new meaning to the "hooker with a heart of gold" cliche. She's the soft focus in this otherwise brutal film. Although compared to CHINATOWN, I find LA CONFIDENTIAL an overall more engrossing film; it's rich in period detail, and has a brilliant cast. Truly a classic film noir!

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Must-See

If you haven't seen this movie....What are you waiting for?! Definitely a must-see detective story. Great performance from Russell, Spacey and Pearce, but the whole cast is excellent.
It's great, get it now, you won't regret it.

GREAT Cast-GREAT Movie

L.A. Confidential, brings to the screen the story of a California police precinct in the 1950's. The movie does a really good job of shedding light on American society during that period.
Russell Crowe, Kevin Spacey, Danny De Vito, Kim Basinger, and the rest of the cast have truly outdone themselves with their performances, which are extraordinary to say the least! All the actors, without exceptions, give it their 100% and it really shows (the chemistry is AMAZING)!
The plot, the setting, and the dialogues, are all WONDERFUL!
Very well written and very well presented, the movie is without a doubt worth watching and one to seriously consider adding to your movie collection!
In conclusion, it is one of those films that gets you and keeps you thinking long after it's over.

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Impressions about the movie

I liked the movie a lot, despite of the fact that it's quite disturbing and not easy to watch. All the actors are excellent! The DVD's quality is superb!

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