Film Review #036 - L.A. Confidential (1997)



Introduction: "L.A. Confidential" (1997), directed by Curtis Hanson, is a neo-noir crime film that masterfully captures the essence of 1950s Los Angeles. The film with its stars Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, and Kim Basinger, tells the story of three police officers with different personalities who are involved in a murder case, corruption, and mystery. Released by Warner Bros., the film had a production budget of $35 million and grossed over $126 million globally. L.A. Confidential is based on James Ellroy’s neo-noir novel with the same name “L.A. Confidential”. "L.A. Confidential" is a movie that looks at morality, justice, and the blurry distinction between good and evil in the LAPD during a chaotic time.

Impressions: L.A. Confidential" (1997) captivated me from the start with its positive and hopeful introduction, reminiscent of Martin Scorsese's narrative style. The movie's music from the 1940s-60s creates a charming atmosphere. The audio mixing is very varied. Sometimes it is too loud but for a specific purpose - to emphasize the dramatization of the scene, and occasionally in the dialogue scenes

Cinematography: The film's cinematography is a standout feature. The film features a plethora of excellent close-up shots and over-the-shoulder shots and sometimes worm angle shots, along with three-shot scenes. It added variety and depth to the visual storytelling.

Aspect Ratio: I noticed that something was wrong with the aspect ratio of the movie but I found out that it is 2.39:1 which is actually very common for cinema settings. This aspect ratio is also known as the Anamorphic widescreen format. It's a big screen that makes movies in theaters look more dramatic.

Screenplay: The screenplay by Brian Helgeland and Curtis Hanson is very well structured. I loved it. No surprise that this movie won a 70th Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay in 1997. The screenplay is rich in character development and intricate details, making dialogues, particularly between White and Edmond, thought-provoking. The film maintains a well-structured plot with a nice balance of complex action, dialogue, and character development. Moreover, the film's pacing is well-done and keeps the story moving steadily and smoothly. The interrogation scenes in the movie were exceptionally engaging and flawless. Edmond's character stood out as superbly portrayed, adding depth to these scenes. The middle part of the film was particularly thrilling, keeping me completely engaged.

Emotional Impact and Climax: The film sets a cozy Christmas vibe, making it at first a pleasant watch, enhanced by the effective transitions within the storyline. The movie’s climax is dramatic and emotion-infused, effectively conveying anger and intensity. The surprising twists, including gunshot moments and scare jumps, added to the film’s unpredictability.

Comparison with Other Films: While I find "L.A. Confidential" more complex than Christopher Nolan’s "Insomnia," I personally prefer "Insomnia" due to its clearer vision and focus on specific characters. Hence, they are memorable. What is positive about "L.A. Confidential” is that it has a complex story and it is less predictable than "Insomnia."

Overall: I found no cinematic flaws in "L.A. Confidential," making it a well-made movie in my eyes. The film is remarkable due to its combination of investigative intrigue, interesting characters, and artistic cinematography.

Rating: 10/10

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