DVD : L.A. Confidential [1997]

Rating: - "It'll look like justice. That's what the man got."
Curtis Hanson has managed to direct a film which captures the late 1940's in both style and spirit. Often films depicting the glamourous side of this era immerse themselves too much in the styles and fashions of the time, rendering the actual characters superfluous to the movie. Not here though - the characters drive the film, blending in perfectly with the directing style swaying effortlessly to capture the gritty and the classic-Hollywoodesque, the guy has done his homework.

Risks were taken by casting relatively unknown non-Americans in the two major roles, a rare thing by a Hollywood studio. It's hard to imagine anyone else but Russell Crowe as the fiery `Bud' and at times Guy Pierce seems a bit awkward as `Exley' - but this isn't a flaw in his acting, this is him bringing the character to life.

It goes without saying that Spacey steals the screen whenever he's on. Those eerie, soul-less, dead eyes can say more in a moment than a full acting troupe speed-reading a page of Shakespeare. I'm less convinced by Kim Bassinger - she's certainly not poor in the role, but she is possibly the only aspect of the film chosen for the aesthetic over everything else.

Instead of introducing characters with a definite persona, we are allowed to grow to like them as we see past their faults, through the ugliness. This is a film about facades and selling an image, the Hollywood backdrop is the perfect real life allegory for this. The characters have a past, they have depth, and each is important to the film.

In a nutshell: If the US Studios produced more films like this then they probably wouldn't be looked down upon by high-browed film lovers. Unfortunately we shouldn't expect them too often as they don't rake in the dollars like an idiotic teen-flick.

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Rating: - Brilliant
Fantastic storyline and an amazing cast all played to perfection.

I can't believe I've only just seen this film!

Well worth the money as its gripping and incredibly entertaining.

Anyone who says this is a bad film shouldn't be allowed to watch them.

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Rating: - RUBISH
BORING AND RUBISH , DON'T BOTHER. I DIDN'T EVEN INTERESTED TO FINISH THE FILM. NOT SEXY, OR GOOD STORY. WASTE YOUR TIME

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Rating: - Phenomenal
I have watched this film about 50 times and it's never boring. From Curtis Hanson's direction, Brian Helgeland's script and the performances of the three leads, this is perfect in almost every way. Each time I watch it I spot more subtleties that I hadn't noticed before. The story is just about perfect, and the fact that Hollywood doesn't churn out more thrillers like this is a major disappointment. This is probably the best performance of Russel Crowe's career, or Kevin Spacey's come to that. Guy Pearce is also excellent as Ed Exley.
If you want to see an intelligent film that's also very believable and full of action, then this is it.
Outstanding.

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Rating: - The Perfect Film
This movie is a must see. The cast is excellent and the story is addictive, in depth and full of twists. In fact there's not many reasons to dislike this movie!

Guy Pearce plays a straight good cop. Russell Crowe plays a slightly dodgy bad cop. Kevin Spacey plays a "media loving" cop and I won't say any more because it will give it all away.

Needless to say there are movies that you MUST SEE - Like Goodfellows, The Godfather, Ben Hur etc. I would easily rate this film as a must see along side those classics.

If you've seen it them you'll kow what I'm saying. If you haven't, then what are you waiting for?