DVD Review: L.A. Confidential

L.A. Confidential is “tough, gorgeous and vastly entertaining” (James Maslin, The New York Times) and won 1997 Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actress (Kim Basinger) and Best Adapted Screenplay (Brian Helgeland & Curtis Hanson). Three cops, a call girl, a mysterious millionaire, a tabloid journalist fuel a labyrinthine plot rife with mystery, ambition, romance and humor.

Review:
L.A. Confidential is based off of James Ellroy’s novel; a book that many doubted could be translated into a film that would do the story justice. However, that is exactly what Curtis Hanson did, winning the Oscar for best adapted screenplay in 1997.

L.A. Confidential brings us to 1950’s Hollywood. Blending together L.A. history with a little pulp fiction, the result is one gorgeous and entertaining film. A shooting at an all-night diner is investigated by three different cops, each who have their own way of doing things. One investigator (Guy Pearce) is rigidly ethical and is motivated by his desire to weed out corruption from the police force. A second police officer (Russell Crowe) understands the line between good and bad is often blurry and is willing to do what it takes to bring true criminals to justice. Lastly, there is Det. Sgt. Jack Vincennes (Kevin Spacey) who receives a commission for making celebrity arrests and aggrandizing Hush Hush, a tabloid from whom he receives pay-off’s. No one knows who to trust. Paying a notable tribute to noir crime films, L.A. Confidential is without a doubt a classic deserving of all the praise that you’ve heard.

The newly released Blu-ray version of this title includes a ton of special features including cast and creator interviews, a TV series pilot, tons of featurettes, commentaries, the soundtrack, and more. It’s a breathtaking release that is a must-have for any fan of this film or of quality films in general.

Review by Emma Loggins

Grade: A
Official site: http://www.wbdvd.com/
Buy on Amazon: L.A. Confidential

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