Great Film: L.A. Confidential
Three Phenomenal Actors Give The Performances Of A Life Time
Six years ago, a director by the name of Curtis Hansen came out with a small
time film named L.A. Confidential. Though the movie garnered several big
nominations at the 1997 Academy Awards, the nation had been swept up by the
gigantic and romantic blockbuster, Titanic, thus shrinking the chances of
this brilliant movie from garnering any real awards. 1997 completely screwed
this phenomenal film, in which three brilliant actors gave the performances
of their careers.
Russell Crowe plays Detective Bud White, a tough L.A. cop who bends the
rules in order to bring justice to the city. He is ruthless, and unforgiving
of anyone, which brings him into direct conflict with Detective Lieutenant
Ed Exley, played by Guy Pearce. Russell Crowe became with this role a full
pledged character actor,: the cop with a steel physique, and a vulnerable
heart. He becomes so believable and real to the audience, you can not help
but sympathize for his character under the circumstances. From this role,
Crowe went on to garner three best actor nominations, winning for his role
in Gladiator.
Guy Pearce, the little known Australian body builder, became the character
known as Ed Exley, a straight, uptight detective trying to live up to the
legend his father created before him. Exley has so much to prove to the
LAPD, trying to show them that he is just as good, maybe even better, than
his father. He plays the politics in a corrupted police department very
well, and is able to use these skills in solving the corrupt and mysterious
case of the Night Owl murders. This film officially put Guy Pearce in the
big leagues of film, making his next appearances in Memento and The Count of
Monte Cristo. He is a severely underrated actor who deserves better than
what he has been getting.
Finally, the ever wonderful Kevin Spacey. Spacey plays Lieutenant Jack
Vincenes, a cop who gives a popular LA police show, Badge of Honor, real
solved cases in return for money. Jack sees his life as an ever going soap
opera, until he comes across a case that somehow has a connection to the
Night Owl murders. Kevin Spacey has proved time and again his abilities as
an actor, and he continues with this performance.
Curtis Hansen does a wonderful job bringing this story to the big screen.
His talents, although recognized, have not been awarded as of yet. I can
only hope that someday, someone will give this amazing director something
worthy of his talents.
Highly Recommended.
MJR
Cast
- Lynn Margaret Bracken played by Kim Basinger
- Officer Wendell 'Bud' White played by Russell Crowe
- Det. Sgt. Jack Vincennes played by Kevin Spacey
- Pierce Morehouse Patchett played by David Strathairn
- Meyer Harris 'Mickey' Cohen played by Paul Guilfoyle
- Capt. Dudley Liam Smith played by James Cromwell
- Sid Hudgens played by Danny Devito
