2. L.A. Confidential - 1997
- Narrative: Story of the corrupt LA police force in the 1950’s
and an investigation that leads to an interesting climax.
- Intricate and complicated storyline.
- A constant voice over, voiced by the character Sid Hudgens in
the form of a report.
- Captions used at the beginning to introduce the characters.
3. General Information
- Certificate 18: This is the minimum age of the target audience which has been legally set. This implies
that the film includes language, images and content that could upset younger viewers.
- Producer: Curtis Hanson
- Director: Curtis Hanson, Arnon Milchan, Michael G. Nathanson
- Writers: James Ellroy, Brian Helgeland, Curtis Hanson
- Genre: Crime, Drama
- Released: 1997
- Released by: Warner Brothers
- Star Cast: Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, Kim Basinger, Danny Devito
- Tagline: Everything is suspect…Everyone is for sale…And nothing is what it seems
- Awards:
Oscar – Best Artess in a Supporting Role (Kim Basinger)
Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously
Produced or Published (Brian Helgeland, Curtis Hanson)
Golden Globes – Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a
Motion Picture (Kim Basinger)
BAFTA – Best Editing (Peter Honess)
Best Sound (Terry Rodman, Roland N. Thai, Kirk Francis, Andy aNelson, Anna
Behlmer, John Leveque)
4. Structure
L.A. Confidential uses Realist, Liner and Closed Ending narrative
structures.
Realist:
- Corruption does exist
- Plausible storyline
- Credible investigative techniques and
interviews of suspects
- Greed
- Fight scenes and injury's depicted realistically
- Convincing emotions
Liner:
- There is a beginning, middle and an end
Closed Ending:
- The narrative in the film reaches a conclusion
5. Narrative
Set in LA in the 1950’s full of corrupt cops, mob boss’, drugs
and prostitutes. Following the murder of all the customers in a
restaurant; The Night Owl, three very different detectives are
drawn into the investigation. They have to deal with many
false apparently unconnected leads but finally uncover links to
other murders, the mob, prostitution and corruption all the
way to the top.
6. Character Profiles
- Detective Lieutenant Edmund J. Exley (Played by Guy Pearce)
Detective Lieutenant Edmund J. Exley is a very ambitious and honest
character. He is very serious and is only prepared to do things by the
book.
- Detective Jack Vincennes (Played by Kevin Spacey)
Detective Jack Vincennes is more worried about his celebrity status and is
an advisor to a TV police drama, Badge of Honor, and is also involved in
providing scoop celebrity arrests for Sid Hudgens and his scandal
magazine Hush Hush.
7. Character Profiles
- Detective Wendell ‘Bud’ White (Played by Russell Crowe)
Detective Wendell ‘Bud’ White is not known for his investigative skills but
more for his brute violence, especially towards those who are violent
against women.
- Lynn Bracken (Played by Kim Basinger)
Lynn Bracken is a high class prostitute, celebrity look alike, who's liaisons
with celebrities and high ranking officials is used to blackmail them.
During the investigation she becomes romantically involved with
Detective Wendell ‘Bud’ White.
8. Character Profiles
- Sid Hudgens (Played by Danny DeVito)
Scandal writer/ photographer for Hush Hush magazine and is also
involved in the blackmail of celebrities and officials. He liaises with
Detective Jack Vincennes who helps to provide scoop by arresting known
public figures.
9. Technical
Neo-noir: Neo-Noir refers to the style and visual techniques/ elements and is
an updated and modern version of film noir.
Camera angles: L.A. Confidential uses multiple camera angles –
- Close up
- Establishing shot
- Over the shoulder shot
Editing: the editing was slick and methodical. Posters and postcards were used
at the beginning to emphasise the picture perfect Hollywood scene.
