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LA Confidential

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LA Confidential

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• Drama
• Crime/detective

• 1997
• Curtis Hanson
• 132 mins
• 18

Summary

Oscar-winning crime drama based on the novel by James Ellroy, starring Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce and Kim Basinger. Three detectives become embroiled in a labyrinth of corruption, intrigue and murder involving a prostitute and the editor of a sleazy magazine.

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Review

A star rating of 5 out of 5.

Jason Caro

This superlative filming of James Ellroy's complex 1950s detective story by director Curtis Hanson fuses period authenticity, fluid direction and searing, full-blooded performances. From the apparently open-and-shut case of a diner bloodbath, the sleazy scenario takes a trio of cops - ambitious rookie Guy Pearce, smooth TV adviser Kevin Spacey and punchy hardman Russell Crowe - down a corpse-strewn path of crime, corruption and celebrity lookalikes. The roles fit the actors like tightly stitched gloves, and the film's bruising brutality is amplified by the absence of clear-cut heroes, with the police characters as morally dubious as the film's villains. The excellent script won an Oscar, as did Kim Basinger for her hard-edged vamp, but the picture really deserved a hatful. Unfortunately, it was released in a year when James Cameron's Titanic hoovered up most of the awards on offer. Nevertheless, Hansen's superb adaptation remains a signature piece of 90s American cinema.

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8.2/10

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Streaming

• Channel 4
• Prime Video
• Sky Store

Credits

Cast

rolenameJack VincennesKevin SpaceyBud WhiteRussell CroweEdmund "Ed" ExleyGuy PearceCaptain Dudley SmithJames CromwellLynn BrackenKim BasingerSid HudgensDanny DeVitoPierce PatchettDavid StrathairnDistrict Attorney Ellis LoewRon Rifkin"Badge of Honor" star Brett ChaseMatt McCoyMickey CohenPaul Guilfoyle (2)Dick StenslandGraham BeckelSusan LeffertsAmber SmithBuzz MeeksDarrell SandeenMatt ReynoldsSimon Baker (1)Breuning, Dudley's guyTomas AranaCarlisle, Dudley's guyMichael McCleeryLana TurnerBrenda Bakke

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Crew

rolenameDirectorCurtis Hanson

Details

Released on

1997-10-31

Languages

English

Guidance

Violence, swearing and brief nudity.

Available on

video, DVD and Blu-ray

Formats

Colour

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