L.A. Confidential



Year of release: 1997.
MPAA rating: R.
Run time: 136 minutes.

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Synopsis
      "1950's Los Angeles is the seedy backdrop for this intricate noir-ish tale of police corruption  and Hollywood sleaze. Someone's killing imprisoned mob boss Mickey Cohen's gang and taking over his narcotics distribution ring.  The police, led by Captain Dudley, convince wiseguys from New Jersey, Cleveland, and elsewhere to go home.  Pierce Patchett, a rich land developer, also runs a stable of high-class hookers who are ringers for movie stars.  The plot to replace Cohen blindsides three plainclothes cops.  Three very different cops are all after the truth, each in their own style.  Ed Exley, is the golden boy of the police force, willing to do almost anything to get ahead, except sell out.  Bud White, is ready to break the rules to seek justice, but is barely able to keep his raging violence under control.  And Jack Vincennes is always looking for celebrity and a quick buck until his conscience drives him to join Exley and White down the one-way path to find the truth behind the dark world of L.A. crime."

          


Commentary
      This is my all-time favorite "cop" movie.  It has an intense and complicated plot that is much smarter than most typical police movies.  And it has an incredible cast.  You MUST see this movie!

                                     

Cast
Kevin Spacey -- Sgt. Jack Vincennes
Russell Crowe -- Officer Wendell 'Bud' White
Guy Pearce -- Det. Lt. Edmund Jennings Exley
James Cromwell -- Capt. Dudley Smith
Kim Basinger -- Lynn Bracken
Danny DeVito -- Sid Hudgens
David Strathairn -- Pierce Morehouse Patchett
Ron Rifkin -- D.A. Ellis Loew
Matt McCoy -- 'Badge of Honor' star Brett Chase
Paul Guilfoyle (II) -- Meyer Harris 'Mickey' Cohen
Paolo Seganti -- Johnny Stompanato
Elisabeth Granli -- Mickey Cohen's mambo partner
Sandra Taylor (I) -- Mickey Cohen's mambo partner
Steve Rankin -- Officer arresting Mickey Cohen
Graham Beckel -- Sgt. Richard Alex 'Dick' Stensland





Crew
Distributed by: Warner Brothers
Director: Curtis Hanson
Producer: Arnon Milchan,
Michael G. Nathanson
& Curtis Hanson
Screenwriter: Brian Helgeland
& Curtis Hanson
Cinematographer: Dante Spinotti
Composer: Jerry Goldsmith
Costume Designer: Ruth Myers
Editor: Peter Honess
Production Designer: Jeannine Claudia Oppewall
Source Writer: James Ellroy
Story: James Ellroy





Awards
Academy Awards:
Best Supporting Actress -- Kim Basinger
Best Adapted Screenplay -- Brian Helgeland & Curtis Hanson

Nominations:
Best Picture
Best Director -- Curtis Hanson
Best Cinematography -- Dante Spinotti
Best Art Direction -- Jeannine Claudia Oppewall & Jay Hart
Best Sound -- Anna Behlmer, Kirk Francis & Andy Nelson
Best Original Dramatic Score -- Jerry Goldsmith
Best Film Editing -- Peter Honess

Golden Globe Award:
Best Actress -- Kim Basinger

Nominations:
Best Dramatic Picture
Best Director -- Curtis Hanson
Best Adapted Screenplay -- Brian Helgeland & Curtis Hanson
Best Original Dramatic Score -- Jerry Goldsmith



Credits
Information gathered from numerous websites including:
www.reelclassics.com
www.movies.yahoo.com


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