la
confidential
Off the record, on the QT, and very
hush-hush...
1950s
Los Angeles, and there is a massive ring of corruption involving local
porn king, Pierce Patchett and seeping deep into the police force.
Three men find themselves working towards the same goal of uncovering
this corruption, but not together- each has their own agenda.
Ed Exley (Guy Pearce) is the son of a folk hero policeman- a young,
whizz kid of a detective; Jack Vincennes (Kevin Spacey) is a sleazy
Hollywood cop, taking backhanders from the gutter press, but longing
to get back to serious crime-solving and Bud White (Russell Crowe) is
a tough hard-nut of a cop, more likely to beat the truth from someone
than coax it, but with his intentions always in the right place.
Against this background is Captain Dudley Smith (James Cromwell) , playing
one off against the other, and keeping a tight rein on his “ship”, despite
his.......well, I won’t spoil it.
Make no mistake- this is no simple
story to wile away the odd hour or so- this is over two hours of intense,
powerful, stimulating and often brutal entertainment......it’s fantastic!
Blink and you may miss one of the intricate plot twists, or a key name
that make the next three scenes mean nothing to you- nipping to the
toilet is not an option here. This was the film that put Kim Basinger
back into the limelight as Lynn Bracken, high-class reluctant hooker,
and object of desire for Exley and White, but she is just one cog in
a well-oiled script machine that brings to life 50s LA and all it’s
dark depths.
The acting is absolutely first
class- Pearce grabs all the surprises as the former Neighbours star
turns in an excellent portrayal of the ambitious and unscrupulous Exley.
Spacey is, as always, cool as a cucumber and the embodiment of his character,
while Crowe is stunning as the fierce and violent White. Cromwell,
Basinger and Danny DeVito (as sleazy reporter, Sid Hudgens) also provide
compulsive characterisations that add to the melting pot. Couple
this tremendous cast with brooding camera work and a totally convincing
display of 50s America, and you have one of the best films I have seen
in a long time- unmissable. DJY
STORYLINE:
85%
ACTING: 95%
SPECIAL EFFECTS: N/A
CINEMATOGRAPHY: 88%
OVERALL:
92%
Best
Quote:- Dudley Smith: Go
back to Jersey, Sonny. This is the City of the Angels and you haven't
got any wings.
Main
Cast List
Kevin Spacey - Jack Vincennes
Russell Crowe - Bud White
Guy Pearce - Ed Exley
James Cromwell - Dudley Morehouse
Smith
Kim Basinger - Lynn Bracken
Danny DeVito - Sid Hudgens
David Strathairn - Pierce Patchett
Ron Rifkin - D.A. Ellis Loew
Matt McCoy - 'Badge of Honor'
star Brett Chase
Paul Guilfoyle (II) - Mickey
Cohen
Paolo Seganti (I) - Johnny Stompanato
Elisabeth Granli - Mickey Cohen's
Mambo Partner
Sandra Taylor - Mickey Cohen's
Mambo Partner
Steve Rankin - Officer Arresting
Mickey Cohen
Graham Beckel - Dick Stensland
For
further information click here.
