L.A. Confidential (1997): Hollywood Noir

ByFabian Bullitt

1997 • Curtis Hanson • 2.40:1 • Jump to Gallery ↓

Based on the novel by James Ellroy, part of his L.A. Quartet, and directed by Curtis Hanson, L.A. Confidential is set in 1950s Los Angeles and follows three very different police officers whose investigations gradually converge around a web of corruption within the police department.

Made in a similar spirit to Chinatown, the film recreates the visual polish of 1950s Hollywood while incorporating modern filmmaking techniques. L.A. Confidential embraces glamour in order to better expose the grit beneath the historical image of Los Angeles. Architecture, cars, and interior spaces carefully ground the film in a vivid period setting.

Unlike many noir movies centered on a single protagonist, the story is divided among three intersecting character arcs. This structure expands the scope of the film, allowing it to explore multiple facets of the genre while developing its own voice. Through these perspectives, the film moves between the sparkle of Hollywood, the criminal underworld, and the corruption of institutions, revealing the veneer that hides the darker realities beneath.

Technical Specs:

  • The Story: In 1950s Los Angeles, three very different policemen investigate a series of brutal murders and uncover a vast web of corruption, scandal, and betrayal that reaches deep into the heart of the city. Read my review of L.A. Confidential.
  • Actors: Guy Pearce, Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe, Kim Basinger, James Cromwell, Danny DeVito, David Strathairn.
  • Director: Curtis Hanson
  • Year: 1997
  • Cinematographer: Dante Spinotti
  • Origin: American Cinema
  • Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1
  • Genre: Crime & Mystery / Neo-Noir
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