L.A. Confidential
Theatrical Poster |
L.A. Confidential
Release Date: September 19, 1997 (USA)
Director: Curtis Hanson
MPAA Rating: R
Genre: Crime Mystery
Running Time: 136 minutes
Box Office: $110,604,977 Worldwide Gross |
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Plot Summary:
Based on the best-selling novel by James Ellroy and directed by Curtis Hanson, this film noir crime drama explores both the dark side of the Los Angeles police force and Southern California's criminal underbelly in the early '50s, when Hollywood was still seen as America's capital of sophistication, glitter, and glamour.
As the only member of the cast with an Oscar on his mantle, Kevin Spacey received top billing, but he once more shared the screen equally with other actors, including a pre-stardom Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, Kim Basinger, and James Cromwell. Though each had their moments, Spacey had the most flamboyant role as Det. Sgt. Jack Vincennes, a flashy “Hollywood” detective who serves as a technical advisor on a TV series patterned after Jack Webb's "Dragnet." He is also in cahoots with Sid Hudgeons (Danny DeVito), publisher of the scandal sheet Hush Hush, who throws kickbacks to Vincennes in exchange for being brought along when showbiz figures get busted.
L.A. Confidential was nominated for nine Academy Awards and netted two, with Brian Helgeland honored for Best Adapted Screenplay, and Kim Basinger taking home a statuette as Best Supporting Actress.
"There was a particularly strong, sharp image about the kind of actor I was, when 'The 'Usual Suspects' and 'Seven' came out. But I didn't want to play your evil nemesis again. A lot of roles were being offered to me, many of them bad versions of 'Seven.' I found 'L.A. Confidential,' and that was the first step. On the surface, a guy who's glib and overconfident and corrupt. Under the surface, there's something more disturbing. Also something potentially decent and redemptive." -- Kevin Spacey, The Washington Times, March 1, 2003
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| Main Cast |
Major Awards Won |
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| Kevin Spacey |
- Jack Vincennes |
| Danny De Vito |
- Sid Hudgeons |
| Kim Basinger |
- Lynn Bracken |
| James Cromwell |
- Dudley Smith |
| Guy Pearce |
- Ed Exley |
| Russell Crowe |
- Bud White |
| David Strathairn |
- Pierce Patchett |
| Simon Baker |
- Matt Reynolds |
| Ron Rifkin |
- Dist. Atty. Ellis Loew |
| Paul Guilfoyle |
- Meyer Harris Cohen |
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Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences - 1998
Award: Oscar |
| Category |
Winner |
| Best Adapted Screenplay |
Curtis Hanson,
Brian Helgeland |
| Best Supporting Actress |
Kim Basinger |
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| Boston Society of Film Critics Awards – 1997 |
| Category |
Winner |
| Best Director |
Curtis Hanson |
| Best Film |
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| Best Screenplay |
Curtis Hanson,
Brian Helgeland |
| Best Supporting Actor |
Kevin Spacey |
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Broadcast Film Critics Association – 1998
Critics Choice Award |
| Category |
Winner |
| Best Adapted Screenplay |
Curtis Hanson,
Brian Helgeland |
| Best Picture |
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| Chicago Film Critics Association Awards – 1998 |
| Category |
Winner |
| Best Director |
Curtis Hanson |
| Best Picture |
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| Best Screenplay |
Curtis Hanson,
Brian Helgeland |
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| Golden Globe Awards – 1998 |
| Category |
Winner |
| Best Supporting Actress |
Kim Basinger |
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| National Society of Film Critics Awards – 1998 |
| Category |
Winner |
| Best Director |
Curtis Hanson |
| Best Picture |
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| Best Screenplay |
Curtis Hanson,
Brian Helgeland |
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| Online Film Critics Society Awards – 1998 |
| Category |
Winner |
| Best Film |
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| Best Screenplay |
Curtis Hanson,
Brian Helgeland |
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| Screen Actors Guild Awards – 1998 |
| Category |
Winner |
| Best Supporting Actress |
Kim Basinger |
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| Writers Guild of America Awards – 1998 |
| Category |
Winner |
| Best Adapted Screenplay |
Curtis Hanson,
Brian Helgeland |
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 All right, college boy, I'll help. But there's a case you boys in Homicide don't care about, you think it's just another Hollywood "homo"-cide. Well, I don't. You help me with mine, I'll help you with yours. Deal? -- Jack Vincennes |
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