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"Can You Keep A
Secret?" |
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Directed by Curtis
Hanson - Written by
James Ellroy, Brian
Helgeland
Starring Kim Basinger,
Kevin Spacey, Russell
Crowe, Danny DeVito, Guy
Pearce
Distributed by Warner
Brothers - 1997 -
138mins - Rated R |
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Off the record, on the QT, and very hush-hush... |
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In the
wake of "Titanic," "L.A. Confidential" seemed like a small film. After
all, how could a small film about cops measure up to the massive epic
that was James Cameron's "masterpiece"? Everyone forgot about "L.A.
Confidential" at the Oscars. Everyone always misses greatness. The
same thing happened to "Citizen Kane." What they missed is what I
think is one of the greatest films of all time.
"L.A. Confidential" is the story of three police officers, all working
seemingly different cases, whose paths all converge. Russell Crowe is
Bud White, a semi-corrupt officer who will plant dope on a man he
knows to be guilty, or will shoot a murderer and claim he was attacked
rather than give him a day in court. Kevin Spacey is Jack Vincense, a
celebrity cop who not only is the advisor on a cop show, but is a
regular in the tabloids, where a sleazy reporter (Danny DeVito)
portrays him as the ultimate hero. Guy Pearce is Ed Exley, a rookie
cop who wants to be a detective, but isn't ready for the corrupt world
of 1950s Los Angeles.
A multiple homicide occurs at a small diner, and soon all three are
involved. What does a mysterious millionaire (David Strathairn) and
one of his call girls (Kim Basinger) have to do with the murders? How
deep does the corruption go? As the story unfolds, we watch,
spellbound.
The thing about "L.A. Confidential," is that it is not the best in
anything. The acting is magnificent, but other films (let's say "The
Godfather") have better performances. The writing is outstanding, but
other films (like "Pulp Fiction") are better. It also has no epic
scale, like "Titanic" or "Lord of the Rings." It's a very small film.
It doesn't have the best action scenes ("Die Hard"), the best comedy
("Ed Wood"), or the best romance ("Casablanca"), but what it does
have, is some of the best direction ever.
Director/co-writer Curtis Hanson is absolutely brilliant and in
absolute control of the entire movie. As I said above, it doesn't have
the best of anything, but it does excel in every area. No other film I
know does so well in every area of a film.
Let me simplify: The acting is maybe a 9/10. The action is a 9/10. The
writing is a 9/10 and so forth. Other films may have a 10/10 in
acting, but maybe a 7/10 in writing. "L.A. Confidential" is so well
rounded, it becomes the perfect viewing experience.
Crowe, Spacey, and Pearce are incredible. No over-playing at all. Just
well rounded, normal characters whom we all grow to respect and care
for. DeVito does his normal sleazy character thing, but that's rarely
a bad thing. James Cromwell is good as always as the police chief. One
to look for, is Kim Basinger. I never thought of her to be a great
actress, but here she gives an Oscar-worthy performance (and she won
as well!). More proof that Hanson is a fabulous director if he can
make Basinger act extremely well (he would later take a good
performance out of Eminem in "8 Mile").
There are many areas of controlled, very funny humor. The glamour of
1950s Hollywood is presented perfectly, and then dissected. Celebrity
status is examined and the ironies and tragedies of fame are exposed.
The romance is interesting, and very mature. It's nice to see a
realistic relationship up on a movie screen for once. Although not an
action film, "L.A. Confidential" boasts extremely realistic, extremely
thrilling action sequences. They are considerably smaller than most
action films, but the subtly to them make them brilliant.
Simply put, this is one of my favorite film of all time. Few films I
have ever seen can rival it. If you haven't seen this yet, do so now.
Then go buy it. This is a beautiful movie, and one of them that will
live forever. Do yourself a favor and see it now. You'll thank me
later. |
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© Written by Jacob Hall -
Email
Me! |
TC Candler's Comment
Brilliant... One of the 5 best films of 1997,
this modern classic would have swept the award
season if it weren't for the spectacular and
gorgeous James Cameron classic, "Titanic".
Curtis Hansen's film is magnificently shot and
scripted with such care that it makes for a
wonderful film to see in repeat viewings.
This is sublime filmmaking.
Richard Propes' Comment
n/a
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