L.A. Confidential

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L.A. Confidential

R

1997

2h 16m

Crime

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

99%

Tomatometer

165 Reviews

94%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

Three policemen, each with his own motives and obsessions, tackle the corruption surrounding an unsolved murder at a downtown Los Angeles coffee shop in the early 1950s. Detective Lieutenant Exley (Guy Pearce), the son of a murdered detective, is out to avenge his father's killing. The ex-partner of Officer White (Russell Crowe), implicated in a scandal rooted out by Exley, was one of the victims. Sergeant Vincennes (Kevin Spacey) feeds classified information to a tabloid magnate (Danny DeVito).

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Critics Consensus

Taut pacing, brilliantly dense writing and Oscar-worthy acting combine to produce a smart, popcorn-friendly thrill ride.

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Ella Taylor

L.A. Weekly

10/20/2021

A masterfully smart and soulful film that bows low before genre even as it betrays it.

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Jay Carr

Boston Globe

10/20/2021

4/4

One of the things the film conveys, in addition to institutionalized corruption, is the energy and excitement of a city that knows it's on the move. L.A. Confidential is juicy dynamite.

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David Stratton

At the Movies (Australia)

10/19/2021

4.5/5

Dante Spinotti's widescreen camerawork and Jeannine Oppewall`s production design brilliantly recreate the somewhat tawdry world of a glamorous city which is starting to lose its glamour.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Feb 24

4/4

Writer-director Curtis Hanson's adaptation of the James Ellroy novel wasn't merely one of the two or three greatest movies of the 1990s; it stands as a masterpiece for the ages.

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Wesley Lovell

Cinema Sight

07/06/2025

4/4

...with great skill telling several interwoven narratives that expose corruption, venality, and murder with compelling twists and turns that will leave the audience riveted until its closing frame.

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Dimitris Passas

PopMatters

11/28/2023

L.A. Confidential‘s representation of a long-gone era in Los Angeles is exemplary, and the 1950s are enlivened on screen in an accurate and opulent manner.

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Trystan C

@Sir-Trix-Alot 12h

An amazing noir detective movie with so many twists and turns. I love Russell Crowe

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David F

@Davidfox 4d

This movie is definitely not one of the greatest films of all time. The storyline is unclear, and there is no clear plot point. No first act, second act, or third act to follow at all. Some of the scenes are so bizarre it's impossible to understand anything. The movie may have good cinematography, but that's the only high point of the film—an absolutely strange film to be considered in a best movies of all time list. If people think something like this was a great film, there are major problems in the world.

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Alex B.

@AlexBioni Jun 26

A masterclass in crime noir. L.A. Confidential is one of those movies that reminds you why people love cinema. The cast is phenomenal, the acting is excellent, and the production design makes every scene feel authentic. The writing, dialogue, editing, and score all come together to create a gripping crime noir that never loses momentum. The mystery constantly keeps you guessing, the tension is high throughout, and there are plenty of surprises that still hold up today. Every character feels important, and the world is so well realized that you get completely pulled into it. My only minor complaint is that there is so much happening at times that it can be difficult to keep track of every plot thread on a first watch. If you love movies, crime dramas, or great storytelling in general, this is essential viewing.

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Thyaagu C

@Thyaagu Jun 11

One hell of an investigative thriller! This one has stuck with me. Couldn’t just stop thinking about all the pieces of this puzzle!! Russell Crowe was an absolute badass, Guy Pearce was terrific, and the rest of the leads too brought their A-game.

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Matt M.

@STAR67 May 19

One of the best movies of all time

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Brooke S.

@Brookespears May 3

Great cast, good story, all time classic. Not sure if it’d be the same without Danny DeVito.

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Curtis Hanson

Director

Kevin Spacey

Jack Vincennes

Russell Crowe

Officer Wendell 'Bud' White

Guy Pearce

Det. Lt. Edmund Jennings Exley

James Cromwell

Capt. Dudley Liam Smith

David Strathairn

Pierce Morehouse Patchett

Heat

84%

94%

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Synopsis

Three policemen, each with his own motives and obsessions, tackle the corruption surrounding an unsolved murder at a downtown Los Angeles coffee shop in the early 1950s. Detective Lieutenant Exley (Guy Pearce), the son of a murdered detective, is out to avenge his father's killing. The ex-partner of Officer White (Russell Crowe), implicated in a scandal rooted out by Exley, was one of the victims. Sergeant Vincennes (Kevin Spacey) feeds classified information to a tabloid magnate (Danny DeVito).

Director: Curtis Hanson
Producer: Michael G. Nathanson, Arnon Milchan, Curtis Hanson
Screenwriter: Curtis Hanson, James Ellroy, Brian Helgeland
Distributor: Warner Home Vídeo, Warner Bros.
Production Co: Warner Brothers, Regency Enterprises
Rating: R
Genre: Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 19, 1997, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 12, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $64.6M
Runtime: 2h 16m
Sound Mix: Surround, DTS, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: 35mm, Scope (2.35:1)