FILMMAKER MOVIE REACTION!! LA Confidential (1997) FIRST TIME REACTION!! 

Crime...crime never changes! Let me know your favorite moment in this movie! Want to vote on what I should watch next? Click here! www.patreon.com/jamesvscinema Get ready for The Life Aquatic movie reaction/commentary Wednesday! Enjoy the day!

"Rolo Tamasi" is one of the smartest twists ever. A film that never loses the viewers interest and gets better with each watch.

The authors, James Elroy, mother was murdered, perp never caught. His father was a prime suspect in the Black Dahlia murder. He grew up in LA. Many real life characters appear in his books. All of them are fantastic. If anyone here still reads.

It definitely holds up to multiple viewings. The look on Exley's face when Dudley asks if he knows anyone named Rollo Tomassi is priceless. Great twist.

LA Confidential is one of the few films that I could reach the end of and then quite happily rewatch immediately. It's one of the best films ever made.

Oh my, I sometimes forget how stunning Kim Basinger looked in this movie. What a gorgeous woman.

The way Spacey says "...I don't remember" in response to being asked why he became a cop is one of the great line deliveries. I think this is easily his best performance. You'd probably get a kick out of Chinatown if you haven't seen it already. Another masterpiece about corruption and moral rot at the heart of Los Angeles, and Robert Towne's screenplay is an all-timer. I'd love to see you dig a little further back and look at some of the 40s and 50s noirs that these films were influenced by - Double Indemnity, Out of the Past, The Big Heat, In a Lonely Place, etc.

LA Confidential is one of my favorites. It does such a great job creating a sense of '50's noir with the camera and soundtrack, and I appreciate how it goes about telling a fairly complex story. It trust the audience to follow along as it throws a lot of seemingly unrelated plot lines at you before tying it all up at the end.

Damn I love the dialogue in this movie. After Bloody Christmas, Captain Smith says to Jack "I doubt you've ever taken a stupid breath in your life. Don't start now." Then later *with his dying breath,* Jack says the name "Rolo Tamasi" to Captain Smith because he knows the captain will ask Exley about it and alert him in the process.

So sad about Kevin Spacey. He was an amazing actor, one of the very best. Too bad he’s a creep, but by god does he not steal every scene lol

I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU REACTED TO THIS MOVIE!! I've been in the mood for it for weeks!! It is SUCH a classic and I haven't seen anybody else reacting to it. Russell Crowe's Bud White is so endearing to me! The things trauma can make you fixate on... Something that has always stuck with me is how the mexican girl felt she had to lie in order to get what she perceived as "justice". Lying about her rapists being involved in the shootout is worse than wrong and unlawful, but the whole scene makes me wonder: if she hadn't lied, would anybody have even cared? Probably not. The fact that she was right about that makes it even worse.

Ah yes. The movie that inspired L.A. Noire.

"My man gave him a 4 piece combo and a biscuit" greatest description of an ass whooping.

"The Night Owl made you. You want to tear all that down?" "With a wrecking ball. You want to help me swing it?"

"Would you be willing to shoot a hardened criminal in the back....?" I watched this last week in anticipation of your review, I never tire of this movie. Fun fact: This movie lost out to Titanic for Best Picture. I know which one I prefer.

Favorite moment is a tough one. The interrogation scene, the you messed with my girl battle royal, or maybe the stash house shoot out. I must say that from the many many times rewatching this film my favorite is the look in Kevin Spacey's face as he says Rolo Tamassi in his dying breath. You don't get to appreciate his victory in that moment the first watch through knowing that he planted the seed that will undo the captains criminal involvement.

This is one of those perfect films

One of my favorite screenplays ever.

The moment Dudley shot Jack my jaw DROPPED. I had never been so shocked by that kind of twist.

"Hold up your badge, so they’ll know you’re a policeman." Probably one of the most important lines of this masterpiece.

"Don't start trying to do the right thing, boyo. You haven't had the practice."

This is a prime example of a perfect book to film adaptation. There are so many moving parts and characters that it’s tricky to follow when you read the book but it’s wonderfully edited and played out in the film so you never miss a beat. The great acting and dialog also gave the characters more depth than the book managed to do which is rare.

One of the tightest scripts ever written. Every scene seems to do multiple things at once, from exposition, establishing a plot point, character development, foreshadowing, etc. True craftsmanship on display.

CHINATOWN is the perfect complementary movie to this film. Polanski directed. It's a must see if you have never seen it.

“Go back to Jersey, Sonny. This is the city of the Angels and you haven’t got any wings.”

When you called a Guy Pearce a boy scout goodie too good looking cop, you nailed it perfectly lol Everyone in this movie puts on such a great performance. That ending with Russell Crowe & Guy Pearce in that stand off shoot out is fantastic! Been a few years since I've watched this but now I'll probably go find it in my bluray collection & slap it on

Its good to see you again, I hope you had a great holiday. This movie is one of my favorite of Guy Pearce.

The whole film is damn near perfect. But I just love the scene where Guy Pearce is interrogating the three suspects leading to Russell Crowe breaking the chair, just perfect.

The most neo-noir movie, the lighting, the corrupt context, the shady anti-hero inspector, the blonde femme fatale. It has everything. Add some sci fi stuff and u already hav a cyber punk movie hahahaha

It’s such a damn shame Kevin Spacey had to be such an a-hole for all those years and thinking he could actually get away with it, because he’s still such an unbelievably great actor.

Hey James L. A. Confidential is one of my favourite films of all time.!!! It's a great film. Guy Pearce, Russell Crowe and Kim Basinger are awesome in this film. Rollo Tomasi

This is one of my all time faves. Love Guy Pierce in this one.

I saw this glorious movie at the cinema when it came out. A friend and I went to see it on a matinee showing and were the only two people there. We got so invested in the story that by the time the climatic shoot out happened we were yelling at the screen to Ed Exley: shoot him shoot him! And when he did, we were literally cheering. Awesome moment, awesome film.

You should definitely check out “the nice guys” if you haven’t seen it. Love your reactions partner. Stay safe.

'Four-piece combo and a biscuit' is the only acceptable way now to describe a beating

My favorite scene has always been the interrogation. It was just so awesome seeing Bud and Exley work together. Also never say that twist coming. Man, I need to rewatch this. It has been quite a few years...

This is definitely one of my favourite movies. I think when they actually discuss what's going on after the fight is probably my favourite scene.

One of my favorite movie ever! I have watched it many times.

This is one of my all-time favorites! Thanks for covering it - so glad you like it too! "Noir film with color" was a perfect description. It's rare that a film can juggle an intricate plot with damn good characterization from three main characters. I'm pretty sure Crowe was offered Wolverine because of this role, but he turned it down because he felt like he had already done it.

I saw this in the theater and it was I think over 2 hours. Didn't even notice the time. That's how deep this movie got into my bones. Brilliant! Favorite scene: Where they're in Patchett's house and Bud instinctively tosses Exley the car keys (I think) and Exley catches it with barely a thought. It was a seamless moment that showed how in-tune the officers had become.

I was anticipating this one, and like always, you didn't disappoint with your observations and analysis. Thanks James!

Kevin Spacey's death scene top three all time! The grin on his face is priceless. He based the character on Dean Martin.

Great movie. Another great movie to react is The Untouchables (1987) with Kevin Costner, Sean Connery and Robert De Niro as Al Capone

So glad you reacted to this Film James. Its pretty much perfect..from style, casting, script etc That interogation scene tho...so good.

This is such a great film. Titanic completely robbed this of a Best Picture win at the Academy Awards in 97. It did win 2 Academy Awards Best Supporting Actress for Kim Basinger and Best Adapted Screenplay.

In my list of top ten movies of all time. It is a puzzle-piece where everything sooner or later comes into place. Hard-boiled, intelligent, stylish, with great writing, great characters and top-notch acting. Beatifully shot and scored as well. When I think of the perfect movie, I think of "L.A. Confidential". Oh, and I'm certain that L.A. Noire was inspired by this movie, as well as other classics like "The Maltese Falcon", "Chinatown" et cetera.

This is one of those times where the movie is better than the book. Russel Crowe is amazing in this movie.

Remember, this movie came out in '97 and was nominated for Best Picture (along with a bunch of other categories). But Titanic had to go and hog up all the awards that year. Too bad, too, because it's moments like that where movies like this sometimes get overlooked. This movie was that good. It IS that good. P.S. - the score/soundtrack is amazeballs!

One of my favorite movies (along with Usual Suspects, Eternal Sunshine and Fifth Element). Thank you so much for your reactions. Would love to see your reaction to Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.

I caught this at a very late screening one night back when it came out (1997?) and it immediately became one of my favourite films. From memory though, Titanic came out around the same time and L.A. Confidential just got overshadowed by that one. It sparked an interest in me to go and check out the genre it was inspired by which took me to Chinatown at first, and then onto the actual 'film noirs' of yester-year like The Naked City, The Big Heat, and Double Indemnity. I still try and find a few new ones I haven't checked out before each year, 2020 has introduced me to the likes of The Killers, Out of the Past and This Gun for Hire so far. And I don't care what anyone says but Who Framed Roger Rabbit? is also worthy of a mention in any list of good neo-noirs in the spirit of Chinatown and L.A. Confidential, haha. And yes, I also had a lot of fun playing through the video game L.A. Noire. When you're familiar with the genre you start recognising plot points and/or environments that they drew inspiration from for the game's various cases and locales from the movies, though LA Confidential seems to have played the biggest hand that they drew from overall. Great reaction video and I enjoyed the observations and insights that were brought forth about the film-making. Consider me subscribed, but keep that off the record, on the QT, and very hush-hush.

Another excellent reaction. I really appreciate your first-time insights on these films. Regarding the Formosa Cafe scene (the "That is Lana Turner" scene), the Formosa is an actual location. It's a restaurant and bar in Hollywood that was around in the 50s, and is still opened today. I'm certain that they would've dressed it and lit it specifically for the film. But, it really does look like that. You can check out some of the images on google. One thing I really admire about L.A. Confidential; they shot a lot of it on location, and the vibe really comes across. Los Angeles is one of those cities in the west that's not that old compared to east coast cities. You get a phenomena where a bunch of development has changed some of the city, but a lot has stayed the same since the the 20s or 30s. So it's really great for finding authenticity when making a period film.

Curtis Hanson doesn't get enough props for how well he directed this. Up until this movie, he was known for making cheesy thrillers like The Hand That Rocks The Cradle, but this movie really put him on the map and led to other projects like 8 Mile and Wonder Boys. I can't imagine how hard it must've been to direct a script this complex, with so many characters and subplots, so many things to communicate in the subtext. But he absolutely nailed it.

I'm glad to see a reaction to one of my favorite films. So well done and acted. I liked how it took you in three directions with the drugs, prostitution and the Nite Owl murders and brings it all together. Glad you enjoyed it like I have so many times. I just don't get tired of that movie.

11:39 He says "on the nose" after they show two different stages of her nose.

Best movie review channel on youtube. Keep up the good work James!

American Beauty is a must if you liked this film

One of my favorite films of all time. I just think it's masterfully made, from every detail. The lighting, the costumes, the tone, the music, the brilliant acting, the complex characters, the twists of the story, the way there are 3 different stories going on at once with 3 different very distinct characters and then it all comes together into one story where they're kind of working together but from different angles, right up to a tense finale. The moment Bud and Ed start working together at last (and they work together seamlessly, like they were meant to be partners on this showdown), it's like the film itself has finally come together and it's perfect. Gives me chills. SO good. I remember being in the theatre and suddenly realizing that I'd been clutching my purse in my lap for about 20 minutes straight, all through the big build-up (from Jack's death) to the final stand-off. I was so riveted. This film is amazing. Edited to add, because I forgot to say it before: you did a fantastic reaction to this film. I loved your insights on the characters and the story twists, the style of the film, and how you just "got" each of these characters and how grey each of them are in different ways. I'm glad you liked it! Thanks for sharing your reaction with us.

One of my favorite movies of all time, first time I saw it I was deep into my ‘24’ obsession and loved Russell Crowe in that same renegade ‘ends justify the means’ protagonist

Great movie, & not a single performance out of place! Even putting two Aussies as the leads makes zero difference, because they're both bloody good actors!

One of the brilliant things about this movie is how Dudley Smith, who is really shrewd and observant, still underestimates each of the three cops in a critical way. He assumes White is just a dumb thug who will be easily manipulated and who won’t think about things too closely. He assumes Vincennes has no moral compass and will play any corrupt game if it keeps him living his glamorous life as LA’s celebrity detective, special consultant to Badge of Honor. And he assumes Ed is both morally rigid and highly political, and would never do anything that would both break the rules AND endanger his career. Bud White investigating on his own? Jack Vincennes stepping in to save a kid from scandal? Ed Exley being willing to take a “wrecking ball” to his career by watching White dangle the DA out the window? Dudley never could have predicted any one of those things and they all combined to be his undoing.

Oh man, I'm so glad you loved this movie. It's a top 3 favorite movie of all time for me. I sing it's praises to anyone who will listen. I feel it never gets the respect or recognition it deserves. I loved how you pointed out the cinematography and lighting. I think they're top notch as well. However they don't get praised like some other films I think because the movie doesn't have or showcase big spanning vistas or majestic scenery like say a Lawrence of Arabia. They are so well done in my mind though. Next level storytelling too. Well done my man, loved the reaction.

One of the greatest points about this movie is that the 3 leads were cast as both their screen personas and their off screen reputations were very similar to the characters they play. Russell Crowe being violent but honourable, Guy Pearce being a seeming lightweight who has hidden depths and Kevin Spacey being classy yet haughty and oleaginous. Worked excellently as there was immediate buy in by the audience.

This was the first movie that I remember seeing in the theater that really utilized surround sound. The sound in that last shootout was amazing; you could hear the footsteps moving around and behind you as Bud and Ed were surrounded in the motel and you could hear where different gunshots were coming from. At the time that seemed fucking crazy.

This is in my top 10 and I saw it when it came out in theaters period trust me it's worth rewatching because I guarantee you there's things that you haven't caught.

"What about you? Why did you want to be a cop?" "I... I don't remember."

I really, really, really LOVE this film. It's pretty much perfect. So slick and intelligent with a truly engrossing story. As time goes on, the more I like this film. I watched this for the first time a couple of years after it was released and it gets better and better every time I watch it. Masterful stuff. So satisfying to see someone whose opinion I greatly respect love it too! Keep up the good work mate!

One of my all-time favorite neo-noirs and a top 10 film as far as I'm concerned. RIP Curtis Hanson. You made your masterpiece! By the way, if you haven't, you should also check out Chinatown. It's one of those movies that you will never forget.

4 piece combo and a biscuit I'm dead lmao

I saw this film in a theater, years ago, and just fairly recently rewatched it. I came to the realization that this film is perfection. I was hoping you would review this, but did not expect it so soon after I just discovered your channel. What a nice surprise. It’s crazy how I got emotional just watching clips (Bud hitting the woman he loves) of it from your review. I thought Wind River, too, was fantastic. Awesome review, as always

The Godfather movies would be great to react to on this channel.

Been loving your reviews so far, bro! Glad you got this one in - one of the best, nearly forgotten gem of the 90’s. That’s some tight writing and stellar performances!

One of my favorite crime films ever, love this film, the writer of this, Brian Helgeland is an inspiration for screenwriting along with Shane Black and Quentin Tarantino

My favorite movie! So excited. My Russell Crowe infatuation started here. I knew he was hot stuff. Didn’t need Gladiator to tell me!

Most perfect movie ever made. No flaws , not a wasted minute.

Another great movie! I saw it in the cinema when it came out and I loved it. :)

This movie is perfection. The characterization is so on point, even when Exley and Bud fight, Bud uses brute force and Exley uses his wits by grabbing the gun from his jacket... and the grade on that end shot with the car leaving, stunning.

Great Hard Boiled Crime movie. Definitely had some Chinatown vibes to it. Great watch

Such a classic film. One of my favorite neo-noir films. Great reaction. Favorite scene is the death of Jack Vincennes. The pure shock and execution of that scene is so great. I remember gasping the first time I saw that scene. React to Boogie Nights. Came out the same year as L.A. Confidential.

One of my absolute favorite 90’s films

LA Confidential HAD to be a big inspiration on LA Noir. I mean, besides the name seeming like an obvious nod to both the Ellroy aesthetic and this book/movie in particular, this was easily the best, most iconic period neo-noir since Chinatown (with apologies to The Two Jakes, its underrated sequel), and how many since have even come close?

You should definitely watch Chinatown next. A Jack Nicholson classic

Writer James Ellroy give an amazing commentary for this movie...he certainly didn't like the casting of two Australians as the two leads in this...but was so happy they proved him wrong..Another fantastic reaction and insight from you

"Roland Navarette. He runs a hole-up on Bunker Hill. And he sells red devils." I have a VHS documentary on the Angel's Flight railway and became interested in the history of Bunker Hill. It became notorious enough to feature in quite a few film noir movies, ironically if it had held on for another couple decades the preservation movement might have saved it from having the hill chopped off and covered with skyscrapers. Probably not though - with how valuable downtown L.A. property became.

This is the type of film you deserve, because you can appreciate it properly. Best. Leo.

This is the movie I named my channel after. Henry Confidential has been my internet persona for 6 years. This film is mad underrated and I’m glad you loved it.

This is really one of my favorite movies of all time. So happy that you were kind enough to share your first time reaction to this incredible film.

In many ways, this works as a spiritual sequel to Chinatown.

Glad to see another upload. Great movie and great reaction as always

Cinematographer on this was Dante Spinotti. He's a legend. Check out Manhunter and Heat.

Fun fact: the red set you commented on (the Lana Turner scene) is actually the Formosa Cafe, which has been in Hollywood since the 40s and is still around. Props to the location scouts, a ton of this film is on location around LA.

Guy Pearce gave such a good performance in here. And it's so funny to see him play the calm & cool Ed Exely after seeing him play the loud & drugged out drag queen Felisha in Priscilla 😂😂 Gotta say he's definitely got fantastic range. No typecasting him!

Criminally underaporeciated film as the years pass. Absolutely one of my all time favorite films. Bud White is one of my favorite characters too. He is the epitome of gray area. He always tends to end up on the right side of things even if it means dipping into the wrong side to get there. Great Great film all around.

Movie recommendation: The Triplets of Belleville. It is an old french animation film but i think you will enjoy it. It is so surreal.

Read the novel James. The movie is good, the novel is one of the greatest masterpieces of noir literature ever written!

This is one of those movies that did deserved every academy award it got. Specially when the director putted two almost unknowed lead actors. Russel and Guy were not very knowed in hollywood and the director didnt wanted well stabilish actors that people liked or not. He wanted us to have a neutral vision and have all the emotions about them. I do agree with the director when he choose Kim Bassinger... few actresses have that golden hollywood ages stars look. She was perfect for the role.

This really is one of the best movies when it comes to storytelling as well as with multiple characters. It's not easy to figure out how to keep it all together and well paced. They build up the story and characters, everyone gets time, there's twists and turns and even a bit of well done action. It's just one of those movies that does just about everything right, from technical aspects to writing to the acting from the whole cast. Since everyone is throwing out suggestions, I'll drop Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World. It's absolutely one of my favourite historical movies, a true masterpiece of film making and one Russell Crowe at his finest. Better check it out if you haven't seen it yet!

Thanks for the review of this film. When it came out my dad and I went and saw this movie a couple times in the theater we liked it that much. LA Confidential is probably in my top ten movies of all time. I think I had mentioned this movie in the comments section in one of your previous previews perhaps The Usual Suspects which is another one of my favorite movies. The corrupt police captain in this movie was also in "The Green Mile". Not sure if you watched and reviewed that one but Tom Hanks and the sniper guy from "Saving Private Ryan" is also in "The Green Mile" along with Michael Duncan Clarke. Thanks again and I kind of figured you would like LA Confidential. They don't make movies like this anymore.

My all-time favorite movie. Im happy to see a recent RU-vid video singing it's praises. I highly recommend reading Elroy's book on which the movie was based.

this is one of my favorite movies. It's just sooo good. The character development is wonderful.

Oh, I’m here for this! Got a feeling yer gonna dig this one.. Edit: Man, this is such a love letter to both film noir & the city of Los Angeles.