Review - L.A. Confidential

"L.A. Confidential" is a gritty crime-noir drama set in 1950's Los Angeles. The story centers primarily around three very different L.A. cops - Jack Vincennes, a narcotics officer who moonlights as a technical advisor on a popular television show; Wendell "Bud" White, a hard-nosed cop who isn't afraid to get his hands dirty; and Ed Exley, a young up-and-comer with a long family history on the force. In the beginning of the movie, a racially-charged beating involving a potential assault with a couple of cops leads to a cop's dismissal from the force. But, when that cop turns up dead in a diner robbery gone bad...it leads into an investigation where nothing is what it seems...and no one is completely innocent.
This is one movie that will keep you guessing all the way to the end. The actors in this film are perfectly cast...and the setting gives the movie a "Chinatown"-like feel. Most notably among the actors is Kim Basinger, who won the 1998 Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role as a hooker who ends up falling for one of the officers. The story gives you just enough action to keep you on the edge of your seat...and enough drama and suspense to keep you glued to that edge. For me, this is easily one of the best cop movies ever made...and quite possibly one of the best movies ever made, period.
For drama, suspense, action, and a story that will keep you guessing, "L.A. Confidential" is just what you're looking for...off the record, on the Q-T, and very hush-hush...
Starring - Russell Crowe, Kim Basinger, Guy Pearce, Kevin Spacey, Danny DeVito, and James Cromwell. Directed by Curtis Hanson.
Time - 2 hours, 18 minutes. Rated - R (Violence, language, adult situations, brief nudity)