Corrupt cops, murderous mobsters and unscrupulous filmmakers: these are the ingredients of LA Confidential, a fantastic 1997 neo-noir crime thriller that pulls off a rare feat. Because here an incredibly dense, sprawling portrait of an epoch was captured on the screen that was previously hardly imaginable as a film. The film has been part of the Disney+ streaming service since this week. You can find out why it’s worth it here.
In the crime epic, a conspiracy is uncovered
LA Confidential is set in Los Angeles in 1953. Being at the center of the story three different copswho don’t particularly like each other: the ambitious Ed Exley (Guy Pearce), the rude Bud White (Russell Crowe) and the vain Jack Vincennes (Kevin Spacey).
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LA Confidential
All three have made themselves comfortable in their own way in the city ruled by mafia bosses and corrupt politicians. After the death of the (real) gangster Mickey Cohen, however, the murders in the underworld increase. When a massacre in a café is swept under the rug, doubts about the official story grow. The investigations bring them together by chance, but they have no idea of the extent of the conspiracy, which extends into their own ranks.
Disney+’s neo-noir crime thriller is as good as perfect
James Ellroy’s 1990 novel city of devils was initially considered unfilmable. The story initially seemed too complex for a film and would probably be adapted into a series today (a series reboot was even planned). Ellroy tells his story in City of Devils over a time frame of over eight years. He processes real crimes with Hollywood history and enriches the story with references to real personalities of the (Alb) dream factory. This results in a social panorama of the USA after the Second World War.
Screenwriter Brian Helgeland and director Curtis Hanson worked for two years on the adaptation, which had to squeeze the essence of the novel into a runtime suitable for Hollywood. At 138 minutes, the film is actually quite short from today’s perspective, at least in comparison to similar works such as Martin Scorsese’s The Irishman.
Despite its large ensemble, the thriller is told efficiently and in an entertaining manner
Pretty much every supporting character in LA Confidential could have a story of their own. This is a testament to the efficient mastery of this film, which, with its driving narrative, explored the dark edges and niches of the City of Angels. We roam the bars, studios and parties with the cops, hanging out with producers and gossip columnists, prostitutes and wannabe stars. At the same time, the clues and twists and turns provide enough suspense to keep audiences struggling to tell the real Lana Turner from the fake.
Will be refined Neo-noir crime thriller that has appeared on numerous leaderboards, by the ensemble, which has a top-class cast down to the supporting roles. Among others, Kim Basinger, Danny DeVito and James Cromwell complete the cast. nine times
LA Confidential nominated for an Oscar, in the end there were only two awards. But fortunately, it doesn’t take little Goldmen to recognize a film for what it is: near-perfect.
*. . .