LA Confidential, the noir crime thriller starring Russell Crowe and Kim Basinger, airs on Film4 tonight at 12.45am. The film won two Oscars and holds a 99 per cent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Career-defining roles and Oscar success
The film features Kim Basinger, Kevin Spacey, Danny DeVito, and Australian actors Guy Pearce and Russell Crowe, in roles that proved career-defining for both Pearce and Crowe. Adapted from James Ellroy's novel, it was directed by Curtis Hanson, who co-wrote the screenplay with Brian Helgeland.
Set in 1950s Los Angeles, LA Confidential follows a group of police officers navigating corruption and the glittering world of Hollywood celebrity. The film received nine Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actress, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Original Score, Best Sound and Best Film Editing.
Critical acclaim and fan praise
It ultimately claimed Oscars for Kim Basinger's Best Supporting Actress performance and Best Screenplay. It is widely regarded as one of the finest films ever to have missed out on the Best Picture prize.
One critic said: "Writer-director Curtis Hanson's adaptation of the James Ellroy novel wasn't merely one of the two or three greatest movies of the 1990s; it stands as a masterpiece for the ages."
Another viewer added: "The flawless ensemble..., the masterfully written story, the vibrant yet gritty vision of 1950s LA - most everything clicks in this fittingly cynical and undeniably seductive period crime thriller that still maintains its style and sizzle."
While a third wrote: "Adapted from a novel said to be unadaptable and set in a genre that has seemed increasingly played out, it brings clarity and life to its art and to life. That's a pretty good definition of a masterpiece, isn't it?"
Fan reactions and viewing details
Fans of the film were similarly effusive. One said: "A masterclass in crime noir. L.A. Confidential is one of those movies that reminds you why people love cinema. The cast is phenomenal, the acting is excellent, and the production design makes every scene feel authentic."
Another added: "A mystery thriller that moves like few others. The twists and turns will be obvious to any average movie goer, but the plot was never the focus. This is a clear cut character piece and here, few can rival the masterclass work on display."
A third user wrote: "L.A. Confidential is, without a doubt, the best film of the '90s, and one of the best films ever made." LA Confidential is on Film4 at 12.45am.
