Nothing is what it seems

L.A. Confidential
[DVD Info]



In the 1950's after the famed incident called "Bloody Christmas" things begin to unravel. There are three cops. First there's Jack Vincennes (Kevin Spacey), a smooth talker who loves the spotlight. He works with snitches who pay him off for getting them a story for their magazine. Then there's Bud White (Russel Crowe) who has a "damsel in distress" syndrome. He'll do anything to save a woman in trouble. On the force he's used mostly for his muscle and people don't think of him as very bright. Finally there's Edmund Jennings Exley (Guy Pearce [who I didn't know was Australian!]) a goody two shoes who will step on anyone on his way up. He isn't very well liked on the force (for being a snitch).

After Bloody Christmas a few cops were made an example of by being fired for police brutality (one of them being White's partner). That night there was a shooting at the Nite Owl Cafe. Everyone in the cafe was murdered (one of them being White's partner...man he's got the worst luck). After some investigation 3 black boys are targeted and brought in for questioning. They are pinned for the crime but they escape. When they're found again there's a shootout and they're all killed. As story unfolds all three cops realize there is something else that went on that night. Those three boys were set up by someone else. But who? What really happened that night? How deep does this thing really go??



I have a case but no one cares. They think it's just another "homo"-cide ~Jack Vincennes.



Ugh. Kim Basinger over plays every part she ever has. It's like she's trying to be the center of attention. It's really annoying. Anyone else would've been better for that part.


Based off the book of the same name, L.A. Confidential is a mystery thriller. It starts off with the three cops being rather unlikable (especially Guy Pearce) but as the story progresses they see how police corruption and the politics involved made them lose sight of why they became cops in the first place. The turn of events were really surprising and the ending is unexpected. There were some parts that were confusing and unexplained but you kind of just accept it (and not know who they're talking about). The acting is well done and the characters and their motives were believable. Because of this, the jury gives this flick:

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