L.A Confidential is everything you want in a movie

I keep screaming "ROLLO TOMASI"! Because it was one of the best movie experiences of my life!!
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Original Movie: L.A Confidential (1997)
Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favour of fair use. No Copyright infringement intended. All rights belong to their respective owners.

[@moviescatsmargs]

Guy Pearce's face when Dudley says the name Rollo Tomasi is incredible. It's wordless acting at its finest. He has to have a moment of clarity and understand why Dudley saying this name is so important but also not giveaway too much to make him suspicious. His eyes widen slightly but not too much. It's so understated and I love that shot so much.

[@cluster_f1575]

That reveal is absolutely brilliant. I get goosebumps every time I watch that scene.

[@abeartheycallFozzy]

I would have messed it up completely. Rollo Tomassi!? How did you... um.. I mean no. Never heard of what was that name?

[@alexanderarkum4793]

I’ve said that for years thank you

[@chrispalmer7893]

I always look for that moment in reactions, one of the finest moments in cinema.

[@Donfrak]

First i've watched this scene its froze up my spine. Brilliant.

[@johnmiller7682]

One of the unsung stars behind the brilliance of this movie is the editor. With so many story lines and great actors, you need a great editor to mesh everything together, so perfectly.

[@cajunsushi]

She is Lana Turner. Ha ha ha

[@RedMenace71]

The REAL best picture of 1997. I thought Ames did a great job of following a really intricate plot!

[@johnmiller7682]

A masterpiece of foreshadowing. When Dudley asks Exsley if he'd be willing to shoot someone in the back, if he knew the man was guilty, but would probably get away with it. Priceless!

[@trottheblackdog]

Only now did I realize that! After seeing this so many times

[@leroylowe5921]

Every time I watch this movie I notice things I didn't notice before. Like "Jackie, it's Christmas!" "No it's not, it's felony possession of marijuana!" (he said, with a cigarette dangling from his mouth)

[@Nightstalker314]

Same goes for "Put down the glasses" which is seen as a demand to blur his vision, to see less clearly and ignore the blatant corruption.

[@GuapoTron88]

I love Spacey’s delivery of “I don’t remember” when Exley asks him why he became a cop. Perfect.

[@TheeGoatPig]

This is one of my favorite noir mystery movies. I love watching all the detectives realize their three cases are all entwined with each other, especially when Bud is beating up on Exley until he concludes they need to be working together. I also love how well White and Exley work together once they do team up. Vincense's death will always be shocking to me, even though they telegraph his crooked nature from miles away. I guess that's a byproduct of hiring Cromwell for that part. He never did play a lot of villains.

[@ShaunRF]

I'm really genuinely impressed with how much you were able to pick up on and predict with this movie on a first viewing.

[@holddowna]

This movie is soo good!

[@austinjpark1]

This was when you had great actors, great writing, great direction, and great producers working together. This film was incredible and I'm so happy people like you are reviewing this movie. 1 for the ages.

[@Mister_Samsonite]

Love this movie! It's the best neo noir film I've seen since Chinatown and The Two Jakes.

[@alienlv426ify]

L.A. Confidential is an awesome, awesome film. It has everything. A true gem of the silver screen.

[@MrNobodee]

SO glad you reviewed this movie and loved it for the same reasons I loved it! You were breaking down the aspects of the directing, lighting, sound, acting, writing etc. just like I did and it was spot on. Very glad you didn't feel the need to stop the movie every five seconds to get your point across. Well done you are truly a movie lover and I like that about you..

[@RobertFergus-l3c]

Great, GREAT reaction to one of my all-time favorite movies. Best line IMHO is 'Av you a valediction boyo?' I love how much Ames got into this, especially the fist-pump when she says 'I just knew with the camera shots with his face. ' Then she lowers her voice and lifts up her fist and says, 'I just KNEWWWW!' Very entertaining, lol.

[@eugeneodonnell4680]

In the James Ellroy book "White Jazz" a sequel to this from about 1993 there was an epilogue that told what happened to all the surviving characters up to the 90's. Ed Exley was the longtime California attorney general who had just been elected Governor and was being mentioned as a Presidential candidate!

[@maggieshevelew1693]

What a great reaction! Thank you for being such a smart, aware reactor! Everything about this film is just perfect. Made me a huge Russell Crowe fan. Would be great to see you watch more of his movies. Subscribed.

[@stevenhenry9605]

Top 3 movie for me, any genre. An absolute masterpiece of a screenplay, with phenomenal performances, great cinematography... I could gush about this film for hours.

[@jamesdrynan]

A superb film! On all counts. Particularly memorable for Spacey's acting. When he replies, " I don't remember, " when asked why he became a cop, it's heartbreaking.

[@MrLovegrove]

If you missed anything at all, it wasn't much. You had an incredibly insightful review to a spectacular movie. Great job! Thanks for sharing your reaction. I had a great time watching it with you.

[@markwang77]

for 'american werewolf', i thought you guys were baked lol, but i loved your reaction for this movie - full of nuance and emotional intelligence, you understood all the layers to the story 👍

[@paulcollinsyoga]

An all=time classic of its genre. Keeps you guessing throughout, not knowing how all the threads will eventually come together. Made the careers of both Pearce and Crowe go ballistic. And Kim Basinger has never been better (or more beautiful). The whole cast is great. Hugely underrated great film.

[@mcbear2543]

Excellent reaction to this modern classic. It has such style and nuance as well as top notch performances from all. ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

[@flippert0]

Yeah, this is one heck of a movie. And it's great that a younger generation discovers and appreciates it. Would have won all the Oscars, if there hadn't been this other juggernaut called 'Titanic'.

[@LordOfAllusion]

My favorite line in this movie: “Jesus fuckin’ christ.” “No Mr. White. Pierce Moorehouse Patchett.”

[@holddowna]

LOLOL!!!!

[@Scotty_Does_Know]

His initials PMP short for pimp, :-)

[@michaelvandeginste3497]

By the time the movie ends, Exley does two of the three things he says he would never do. He (via Bud) beats a confession out of a suspect (Loew) and he shoots a hardened criminal (Dudley) in the back.

[@davidtoupal1015]

I’m glad someone has watched this movie. Awesome lady

[@brucedunkle9136]

Nice reaction, Ames. You definitely caught the vibe of what this film was all about. James Ellroy wrote the book that this movie is based on. There's a trilogy of books that Ellroy wrote that involve many of the same characters that were in this film. "The Black Dahlia", "White Jazz", and "The Big Nowhere". Hard-boiled crime fiction at its finest.

[@holddowna]

I should for sure read some of these books!!! I loved this movie !!

[@KayQue-s3r]

Great reaction & discussion! Yeah this definitely needs at least one rewatch; so much info & depth.

[@bobdelp2023]

YOU KNOW THERE WERE A WHOLE SLEW OF GREAT FILMS BETWEEN THAT ( 92-97 ) WINDOW AMES THAT WERE JUST SO DAMN GOOD!💯😊A COUPLE YEARS PRE WEB AND A COUPLE POST WEB, JUST SO MANY OF UM! 👍

[@holddowna]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@MzQTMcHotness]

I LOVE this movie SO MUCH!!! God am I glad you watched this film!!!

[@MzQTMcHotness]

OMG I love you so much right now!!!! You get it!!! You get this film!!!

[@joerafferty3248]

I'm a huge James Ellroy fan and I've read all of the first LA Quartet books (which I cannot recommend highly enough), of which LA Confidential is the third in the series. I think the film is a brilliant adaptation considering that the story you're watching is barely the tip of the iceberg compared to the book. For example, the Nite Owl massacre is just one of many subplots that are all running through the novel at the same time; there are a lot of characters who get reduced to minor cameos in the film who actually play bigger, important roles in the book; and also there's a lot of continuity from the two previous books that gets cut out for obvious reasons. However, I think the version that Curtis Hanson was able to come up with here really does feel like it stands on it's own which is a massive credit to any director working from other source material. The cast in this film is exceptional because everyone fits the bill of their characters to the letter, especially given that both Guy Pearce and Russell Crowe were unknowns at the time, so the director took a big risk working with them. Plus, the attention to the period detail and incorporation of real life LA historical events such as Bloody Christmas and the Johnny Stompanato/Lana Turner relationship, is excellent and obviously goes on to influence things like LA Noire, which I also love. All in all, this is a great film that is one of my personal favourites so I'm always happy to tune in whenever someone else is discovering it for the first time.

[@thunderstruck5484]

I read The Black Dahlia decades ago , it’s so good!

[@barn_ninny]

Curtis Hanson was a terrific director. You should check out Wonder Boys.

[@ibr-2doe323]

This movie is definitely in my personal top10... maybe top5 favorite. It's a watch anytime, multiple times movie.

[@holddowna]

It’s amazing !

[@Wayne-fo9ew]

L.A. Confidential lost Best Picture to Titanic. I cry foul!

[@NemeanLion-]

“We’re trying to run down a lead on an associate of Vincennes” “What’s the name?” “Rolo Tomassi?” The hair on the back of my neck stands up every time I watch that scene.

[@VilleHalonen]

Such a brilliant film in so many ways, not the least of which is how they managed to capture the spirit of an immensely complex novel (the third one in a quartet, to boot) while altering several plot points so that there's the same emotional oomph with many new surprises! I've you're a reader, you just might really enjoy the whole L. A. Quartet by James Ellroy. Be warned, though, Ellroy at his darkest is really damn dark. Someone once said that if you want to read good horror, skip the horror section of the book store (yeah, that "once" was that long ago) and pick up an Ellroy novel.

[@HumbertoEscudero-f2t]

Not many people know that the Bud White character, who hates women being abused, is semi-autobiographical. James Ellroy's mother was raped and murdered when he was 10, the killer was never aprehended, the case is still open. I even remember the novelist was featured in an Unsolved Mysteries episode talking about his mother's fate and how he copes with it writing about tragic female characters, like his other famous novel, The Black Dahlia

[@zomfies]

I wonder if you sped it up slightly for copyright, or if that's just because of the NTSC-PAL difference, or what? I've watched this film so many times I could tell right away it's slightly higher pitched than normal. One of my favourites!

[@bignut3348]

I'll never forget the scene of him saving the girl and smoking the bad guy, making it look like he got shot at first. It's not super amazing or anything it just flows so well and tells us so much about how much this guy is willing to do, even if it's probably not the best course of action.

[@thamoose2179]

...Everything you said about the greatness of this movie at the end, it got Nominated for Academy Awards in all those Categories. The movie took home 2 Oscars, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Supporting Actress...Unfortunately a little movie called Titanic came out the same year

[@987654321wormy]

The first time I watched this movie I was completely riveted and totally absorbed by the plot and acting. I revisit it at least once a year. A perfect movie in my opinion.

[@holddowna]

It truly is! Everything u want in a movie

[@ziusthefirst5387]

Every time I watch this movie it's like I'm watching it for the first time. Great movie! Great reaction! Enjoy watching it again and again. : )

[@Greybeardmedic]

I love how you describe how men work out their problems. It CAN get physical, and at the end of things a guy will respect another guy who stands up for himself physically, even if they got their asses kicked. No handcuffs, no charges, no jailtime, end of conflict, and sometimes best friends.

[@keithmays8076]

This movie was like a breath of fresh air for noir buffs. I think the last one done before this was Chinatown with Jack Nicholson. You could say both movies are prime examples of modern noir. Then again, you could also place Blade Runner into the same noir room if not on the same shelf as these two.

[@jasongreathouse6661]

I remember when the movie came out it was critically acclaimed but studios didn’t do much to promote the film and it got lost in the shuffle. Then it was overshadowed at the Oscars by another small indie art house film…..Titanic. It’s a great film one of director Curtis Hansons best and one of Crowes best performances.

[@jakubfabisiak9810]

Now try "Touch of Evil" (1958, but make sure you watch the 1998 edit that incorporates Welles' 52-page memo on how he wanted the film edited). One of the best of the original Film Noir, and generally considered the closing chapter in the genre, just like Maltese Falcon was the first film noir. Also, The Naked City is another good one - shot almost entirely on location in NYC, back when films were made on movie sets in Hollywood.

[@robertcanup4473]

Johnny Stompanado was a real person - who was Lana Turner's boy friend. He was killed by Lana's daughter.

[@CaminoAir]

James Cromwell is nearly 7 foot tall. Film makers must use tricks to make him appear nearer the height of his co-stars (including Guy Pearce standing on a box in scenes with Cromwell?). Pearce was best known to us here in Europe at that time as one of the cast in an Australian daily soap 'Neighbours'. He was a revelation as Ed Exley. His eyes express so much and he showed a great combination of acting ability and star presence.

[@clash79]

Hey girl, there's a name for movies that are very noir like, but modern and in color. It's called neo-noir. This and Chinatown are two of the best, but there are tons

[@tombrown1898]

Love your commentary! I saw this movie on its opening night. I remember thinking that the three black men were set up for the Night Owl, because it was so bloody and anonymous. And shotguns were used. That was not a a crime Black men would be likely to commit.

[@holddowna]

Thanks for watching

[@PatrickWilliamShaw]

Greatest movie of all time.

[@pbryant929]

The movie LA CONFIDENTIAL, is based on a book of the same name by author James Elroy. Similar to the motivations of his characters Exley and White, Elroy's mother was murdered when he was a child. The murderer was never caught, and that is why he writes murder mysteries! 😮

[@eggsntaters5144]

one of those flicks that sucks you in no matter how many times you've seen it. Greatness.

[@pieceofgosa]

"hold up your badge so they know you're a policeman" Because the only difference between a cop & a gangster is the badge.

[@powerpointpaladin6911]

My dad was a cop back in the day. Two scenes really hit me hard. The first is when Exley asks Vincennes why he became a cop, and he doesnt remember. My dad entered the force an idealist in the 60s, and left jaded in the 90s. I never asked him why he became a cop, because I dont think he remembers. The second is when Exley gets to reconsider his answer as to whether he would shoot a known criminal in the back, to prevent him getting off. Before he shoots Dudley on the back, Dudley tells him to hold up his badge "so they will know you are a policeman." After Exley shoots Dudley in the back, we get a silhouette of Exley holding up his badge, and we know Exley is a policeman.

[@socalpaul487]

One of the best movies ever.

[@JonahPedersen-tz3uk]

Great movie. Fantastic cast.

[@holddowna]

Amazing!

[@melodynice7938]

Old saying is that Hollywoodland is built on the bones of 13 yo girls, those buses must have so many contemplating ghosts on them 😬

[@lw3918]

Ames, this was my first reaction with you. And I realized you're Canadian right? Try "Patton" you'll enjoy it. You think through the movie and I like that perspective.

[@holddowna]

I am 🇨🇦!!! Thanks for hanging out! For sure add that to the list!

[@lw3918]

@holddowna LOL it was the way you pronounce "O's" that tipped me off.

[@paulconnett3654]

Ames. Thank you for the flash back. This movie is an acting and a filming lesson.I haven't seen it for a while and it puts shame on the hype being thrown out today. Plus you're professional and emotional reactions are just second to none.. Cheer's Gorgeous.x 🇬🇧 Suggestions: I'm still not forgetting about Exorcist 3. And I did promise to watch all your Harry Potter reactions, one after the other (marathon) so that's happening next weekend. Need to get booze and snacks plus hoping your smile and sense of humour will keep me awake. Because I'm not a hp fan.. again Cheer's Gorgeous.x

[@cayminlast]

An amazing movie for sure. You should do a reaction to "Chinatown" from 1974 with Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway, guaranteed you will enjoy it.

[@holddowna]

Gotta watch that!

[@MartinWWalker]

Cinema perfection. In my top three.

[@theylied1776]

What I find funny is that there are Three Australians and a New Zealander in this cast.

[@SCharlesDennicon]

Yeah, still one of the BEST written US thriller ever made. Everything else is stellar, from the directing to the acting, I'm not saying otherwise... but that screenplay... get the fuck out of here. ^^; Rollo Tomasi? Legendary. Legen-fucking-dary, I so wish I could watch it again for the first time. Great reaction.

[@doubleDD274]

You did follow well. For your enjoyment, you have to watch CHINATOWN . The movie that inspired this film. It was so great that they had to find something comparable to it. And they did. As much as you like this , you will love it.

[@popded]

You should check out The Black Dahlia, based on a real case.

[@muchachonextdoor5608]

Such a great film. You should also check out Training Day with Denzel Washington and Ethan Hawke. As some movie

[@jamesrichardson3322]

L.A. Confidential Is the greatest Hollywood greatest movie

[@holddowna]

It’s unreal

[@jamesrichardson3322]

​@@holddowna You must read the novel L.A. Confidential by James Ellroys. Rewatch the film!!

[@kylespeirs6510]

Girl is 🔥🔥❤

[@danbrown8644]

I agree. One of the best ever. Have loved those 3 every since. You should try the 4 books this is a part of. You hate Dudley because of this? You ain't seen nothin'.

[@o0pinkdino0o]

No exaggeration, I have watched thousands of films. And this is a PERFECT film. And the perfection comes from the pacing (and this cast).

[@holddowna]

So good

[@o0pinkdino0o]

@@holddowna Want more like this ? - Usual Suspects - Brian Singer (X-Men) in another noir thriller with Spacey again, Benicio del Toro, Gabriel Burne and Kevin Pollock - CopLand - James (Logan) Mangold with Stallone in an acting role with De Nero, Harvey Kietel, Ray Liotta and John (West Wing) Spencer - King of New York - grimy 90s New York noir with Christopher in is most Walken-esque performance with Laurence Fishburne, Wesley Snipes, David (CSI Miami) Caruso in his best role and Steve Buscemi

[@mperezmcfinn2511]

​@@o0pinkdino0oOh man, Copland is an underrated masterpiece. That cast is unbelievable.

[@TesseRact7228]

@@o0pinkdino0o Although not about corrupt cops, I think I would throw "Switchback" (Danny Glover, Dennis Quaid) into the mix as well.

[@system3008]

I could watch this film over and over again. It's so good.

[@henfarasubtitrare9764]

I feel like "LA Confidential" is to noirs what "Unforgiven" is to westerns.

[@thelastshogun3913]

That's a very apt comparison!

[@JKM395]

Very well put.

[@vanityscar424]

chinatown of the 90s.

[@damianstarks3338]

Perfect movie comparison I couldn’t agree more with you.

[@damianstarks3338]

@@vanityscar424facts

[@Bar-Lord]

It took me way too long to see this flick. When I did, I finally got why I saw all of the awards talk back in the 90s. What a cast. I wish more films like this got made these days.

[@holddowna]

So good!

[@Madbandit77]

I saw it on HBO a year later after it was in theaters. I thought it was brilliant. It should have won Best Picture at the Oscars.

[@cashflowhustles]

Those days are gone. Movies like this are rare. At least on streaming there are still some series that are on this level of quality.

[@mperezmcfinn2511]

I knew you were going to love this! LA Confidential is the kind of masterpiece that's so good that it makes you mad at Hollywood for not working harder. Russell Crowe is just a beast in this! Did you know he was almost Wolverine in X-Men? Fun fact: Johnny Stompanado the gangster who Bud White nearly neutered was a real LA mob enforcer. He dated and abused Lana Turner until her teenage daughter stabbed him to death. He also made the mistake of pulling a gun on Sean Connery on a film set. The result of which was Sean Connery beating the fuck out of him.

[@987654321wormy]

​@@cashflowhustlesCompletely agree, this how a movie should be.

[@erikz9026]

Exley shooting Dudley in the back is a call back to the start of the movie, where Dudley asks Exley if he would shoot a criminal in the back to prevent him from getting away with it. At that time, it was a “no”.

[@holddowna]

Exactly!

[@Dave3Dguy]

Yeah this movie only gets better with rewatching. So much great detail and foreshadowing.

[@adamscott7354]

Its also Dudley said let me do the talking, Exley can barely move, while he's walking away ahead of him, so he will gloss it over, injustice, he's likely to have Ed killed later, and gloss over it, injustice, or he might try to finger him then and there to the approaching responding officers, and the cops would kill Ed, injustice, so I like how your point wraps that up, finalizes it.

[@enlightenmenttv2287]

The way that scene takes place early in the film, and is shot in a somewhat understated way, and then that conversation comes full circle at the climax with police corruption as the spin...that's brilliant writing.

[@ViPro2023]

Definitely in my top 5 best movies list. The "Rolo Tomasi" reveal is one of the best twists in movie history.

[@goldean5974]

This was the BEST movie of 1997. It had more depth than Titanic ever did (pun intended). Curtis Hanson and Brian Helgeland took what was essentially an unfilmable novel by James Ellroy and turned it into one of the best films noir ever made. Very nearly perfect in every way.

[@chrispalmer7893]

One of a very small group of movies that are better than the books on which they are based (and an even smaller group where the author of the novel agrees with that assessment...) LA Confidential is my least favourite of the four books that make up the LA Quartet - possibly because Ellroy was right in the middle of transitioning to the style he now uses - but the writers of the movie version were masterful in their choices of what to keep and what to omit.

[@clash79]

It was a bad year for it to come out. Sure, I prefer this, but Titanic was such a technical achievement that was also a great film. But, yeah, this is the best movie of 1997

[@deBebbler]

This was one of the most enjoyable reactions I have ever seen, from anyone. There's no substitute for watching a film with a knowledgeable and attentive person. Glad you chose this one.

[@wyattmann8157]

I've never seen a better cop movie. Great action. Great acting. Twists that you don't see coming. Outstanding film.

[@uncleruss8420]

Loved how you were picking up on every aspect of the plot as and before it was happening. There is nothing better than a intelligent reactor. Keep up the good work.

[@coldflamebluedragon196]

One of my favorite screenplays ever. The movie that inspired L.A. Noire

[@IndieFilmmaker82]

And Zootopia:)

[@bloodymarvelous4790]

If you're looking to get more into film noir: - The Maltese Falcon - Double Indemnity - Chinatown (score by the same composer as L.A. Confidential)

[@BrianNay34]

Great list. Hopefully she goes down the rabbit hole.

[@itzbp9949]

Mullhollan falls is a really good one too

[@w9gb]

Raymond Chandler’s “Phillip Marlowe” era.

[@rextside]

Not going to name names, because talking trash about other reactors serves no purpose, but one thing I really appreciate about this channel is your ability to actually comprehend the story and pay attention to the exposition. There are so many other reactors who seemingly feel the need to always be "performing" and as a result talk over exposition and key plot lines and then spend the rest of the reaction asking questions that have already been answered by the film and it drives me nuts. This movie in particular is a tangled web of storylines and it certainly throws a lot at the viewer on a first watch, but you were capable of keeping it all in your head even with the camera in your face and I really appreciate that. This is also one of my favorite movies and if Crowe and Spacey hadn't turned out to be such rotten people in real life this one would probably get talked about more than it does because pretty much every second of it's 2h 18m run time are spectacular.

[@thewildgoose7467]

I get the "rotten people" reference with regard to Spacey, but as someone who doesn't follow "gossip" or mainstream I was unaware of Crowe's 'reputation' so decided to do some research. I always just regarded Crowe as a fine actor but now I understand where the hate comes from. He doesn't follow the Hollywood agenda and is therefore a prime target for character assassination by the owned media. So thanks because your comment has made me realize that Russell Crowe is more than just a fine actor but also someone who's not afraid to speak the truth regardless of the consequences.

[@jsharp3165]

In fairness, many reactors have been through so many copyright edit marathons that they keep talking to reduce the amount of unbroken sound they have to cut out to pass muster. George at CB has explained this many times. But yes, I wish some of them would just hush and pay attention sometimes.

[@michaelatteberry6462]

Actors, atheletes, politicians - many of them are rotten people - does not change the fact some are great at their jobs

[@75216garrison]

What did crowe do?

[@theaikidoka]

@@75216garrison Though he has cleaned up in recent years, for decades Crowe was a drinker and a brawler. He was notorious pre-fame (admittedly mostly in his home nation so the news is less well-known) as a mean drunk, and he famously attacked a photographer who wouldn't leave him alone. I think he does regret that now, but he wasn't a man to lightly cross.

[@powerpointpaladin6911]

so stoked! Ames, you are the kind of intelligent and empathetic movie lover who will really go for this one!

[@shainewhite2781]

Nominated for 9 Oscars including Best Picture, but won for Best Supporting Actress and Best Adapted Screenplay.

[@billhayden3637]

Another great modern film noir is Chinatown. Probably the greatest film noir. Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway at their finest

[@ps5392]

Saw it at the theater multiple times back in 97 and to this day it’s one of my favorites. I probably watch it twice a year or so and I never get tired of it. I love dissecting all the twists and turns. Every actor in this is absolutely outstanding! The screenplay is amazing as well. From what I’ve read, they had to cut around a dozen subplots from the book and at least twenty or so characters. The fact that they came away with a screenplay this tight and succinct is a testament to those writers’ skills.

[@HappyHarryHardon]

It looked so good on film. I was on the road and saw it in 11 different theaters.

[@thomasbrown9402]

I wish I'd have seen this in a theatre... What was the audience reaction to the Rollo Tomassi scene?

[@HappyHarryHardon]

@@thomasbrown9402 Generally shock and a cheer every once in a while. Most of the action was talking about it on the way out. Most people talked about that and how hot Lynn was. It was a simpler time back in 97.

[@Thewingkongexchange]

I read the book once about 20 years ago, but from what I remember this did a great job of distilling it into a coherant script. The main difference I remember is that Jack Vincennes dies in a shootout or something.

[@argentokaos2629]

Never seen anybody make that many good calls on "L.A. Confidential." Respect. True Hollywood story: the *real* Lana Turner--- really *did* have a relationship with a real-life gangster named, yes, Johnny Stompanato.

[@tomstanziola1982]

2:20 - James Cromwell, Ames. One of the best and most prolific character actors ever!! 👏👏👏👏

[@holddowna]

❤️

[@Madbandit77]

He already had an Oscar nomination for "Babe". He should have earned another one for this.

[@tomstanziola1982]

@@Madbandit77 You're absolutely correct, my friend! 👍

[@chardtomp]

A lot of real history in this movie. Micky Cohen was the drug czar of L.A. at the time. Johnny Stompanato was a real gangster who ran around with Lana Turner and was ultimately killed by her daughter under questionable circumstances. Badge of Honor is obviously Dragnet. The Bloody Christmas incident really happened. In his auto biography, Micky Roony mentioned a high-end prostitution outfit in L.A. where the girls looked like famous actresses.

[@gridplan]

13:59 "Fancy" is right. That's the Lovell Health House designed by Richard Neutra in the late 1920s. Wish it were open to the public.

[@thelorax9622]

Congrats on figuring out it was Dudley so early. If you get the chance, the book the movie is based on is great as well. This is one of the few US productions where you will see three Australians in prominent roles - Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce and Simon Baker (the actor that had his throat cut that Vincennes found). I have watched this film quite a few times and it never gets old.

[@ryanclark6402]

I always have to give major credit to the casting team on this. It was a huge gamble to do a major picture with two virtually unknown Australians as the leads. Spacey was the star at the time, and they killed him to start the final act. Great performances all around, but not every director would lean that hard on faces the audience didn’t know.

[@neilbaesel3767]

True, but it probably helped keep the budget down, so I'm sure the studio loved that.

[@UncleQue]

This is one of those movies that can take a few viewings to completely figure everything out. One can spot something each of the first few times you watch it. Great acting all around and for many it was the first time we really noticed Crowe and Pearce as actors.

[@rogermorris9696]

It is strange both Crowe and Pearce are both Aussies who had their starts in soaps,

[@holddowna]

That’s cool!

[@anthonyleecollins9319]

After he cast them, and before he cast Spacey, the studio asked the director, rather nervously, if there were going to be any Americans in the movie -- and maybe actors that the audience would have heard of.

[@sunnyschramm9650]

"copland" (dc) with sly is also very good ❤

[@brentharker7868]

"You look better than Veronica Lake" is the most romantic line ever said. Kim Basinger is way more attractive than Lake. I never thought I would see a Neo-Noir that could equal the excellence of1974's Chinatown but IMO this show does just that. This classic showcases, arguably, career best performances from many cast members. I've watched LAC many times and always enjoy it. Now treat yourself by reacting to Chinatown.

[@matthewstroud4294]

Neo noir brilliance. The other two that I love are from the 70's: The Long Goodbye (1973), Elliott Gould as Philip Marlow; and the masterpiece that is Chinatown (1974), with Nicholson and Dunaway in possibly the best script ever written.

[@brodyschum]

1974’s The Conversation is also a noir classic.

[@robwealer5416]

You won't go wrong doing more Guy Pearce films... "Memento" is probably his best (Christopher Nolan).

[@3dbadboy1]

What's amazing is that Russell Crowe & Guy Pearce were both Australian actors who I believe did their premieres with this move (or at least American premiere).

[@michaelodonnell824]

Russell Crowe is actually a New Zealander and had his original starring role in an Australian movie called "Romper Stomper". Guy Pearce was born in England to a New Zealand father and an English mother. His breakthrough came in "Priscilla, Queen of the Desert" a comedy about Drag Artists...

[@charlize1253]

This movie was huge when it came out, but somehow became forgotten for 25 years until reactors on KZbin began getting into it within the last year or so. Young Russell Crowe, young Guy Pearce, pre-scandal Kevin Spacey, incredible writing that trusts the audience to follow a complex plot. So glad it's being revived by reactors like you!

[@bobschenkel7921]

There is nothing L.A. loves more, than a movie about L.A..

[@bobdelp2023]

AHHHHHH LOOK AT YOU, YOU FIGURED OUT WHO THE BAD GUY WAS, MOST PEOPLE DON'T GET IT THAT QUICK AMES!😮GOOD JOB!👍😊

[@holddowna]

Just the way they used the camera I had a hunch!!!