LA Confidential, the noir crime thriller that holds a near-perfect 99 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and won two Oscars, is screening on Film4 tonight at 12.45am.
The film, which earned nine Academy Award nominations, stars Kim Basinger, Kevin Spacey, Danny DeVito, Guy Pearce and Russell Crowe. It proved to be a career-defining role for both Pearce and Crowe.
A Masterpiece of 1950s Noir
Adapted from James Ellroy's novel, the picture was directed by Curtis Hanson, who co-wrote the screenplay with Brian Helgeland. Set in Los Angeles, it follows police officers navigating corruption and Hollywood celebrity culture in the 1950s.
At the Academy Awards, the film received nominations for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actress, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Original Score, Best Sound and Best Film Editing. It ultimately claimed Oscars for Kim Basinger's Best Supporting Actress performance and Best Screenplay.
Critical and Fan Acclaim
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 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."
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?"
Fans were equally 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. The writing, dialogue, editing, and score all come together to create a gripping crime noir that never loses momentum."
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. The cast is flawless, the script is magnificent and Hanson's directing somehow weaves all of it together so it's not only (structurally) a marvel, but wildly entertaining."
A third viewer wrote: "L.A. Confidential is, without a doubt, the best film of the '90s, and one of the best films ever made. Curtis Hanson was a much better director than Speilberg or Tarantino. Great script, the story is riveting, the dialogue is smart and funny, and the characters are written in three if not four dimensions. One can almost forgive the casting of DeVito, who did a good job. There should have been several sequels."
LA Confidential airs on Film4 at 12.45am.
