I have seen this movie 20 yrs ago so many things were forgotten. But the reason i was thrown away with that name was the fact i was watching a lot of the manosphere UA-cam videos and the guy with the same name is the legend there.
The reason Spacey's character says Rollo Tomassi is because he means "You're the one who's never caught." He's "knows" Cromwell will get away with it, because he's too powerful.
@@NextExiter But it's a trap for Dudley. Ed told no one about Rollo Tomasi, except for Jack. When he mentioned the name to his killer, it's a guilty stamp on Dudley's head.
The acting from Guy Pearce in the the scene where Dudley drops the Rollo Tomasi reveal is also just on point. Exley’s face is a mask, but you can just see the briefest moment where the realization hits him. That combined with the music makes it a stellar scene among many in this movie. Fun reaction you two, thank you!
Ellroy's novel is about five times more complex with even more characters that didn't make it to the movie. It's a real testament to the screenwriter they were able to adapt such an intricate story into such a good feature length film. The hard-bitten crime novel and movie ( especially set in the 1940s and 1950s) is one of my favorite genres. Samantha, since you like these types of crime thriller dramas, I think you'd really enjoy the classic film noirs made during those times. And Chinatown, even though it was filmed in the 1970s, like L.A. Confidential it's set in the 1950s is a must watch if you've not seen it yet. A masterpiece.
Definitely read the book(s). This is probably the best movie they good make out of the book, because it gave you the flavor. One good thing about the books is that they are sprinkled with the real people and the real happenings. And Ellroy's real mother was raped and killed and the murder never solved.
Ellroy himself said that he was very impressed that someone managed to turn the book into a coherent movie by dropping a bunch of plotlines/characters and combining the rest into a single story. So this is pretty much a case where you could ostensibly watch the movie to understand the book better instead of the other way around.
Spacey has two moments I just love: one when Exley asks him why he became a cop, and Vincennes sits there for a moment, then does that sad little half-laugh and says, "I don't remember." The other was the moment when he's sitting in the bar waiting to go catch Reynolds with the DA, and he looks in the mirror before dropping the fifty on his cup and leaving. The look of absolute self-loathing on his face as he looks into the mirror is just so absolutely perfect. Anyway, glad to see someone watch this movie. It's one of my all-time favorites.
FYI: The cop who was waiting at Lynne's home was an officer with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. That's a different law enforcement agency from the Los Angeles police department. When the officer said, "We took her to the station for safekeeping," he was referring to the Sheriff's station. It's unlikely that Dudley Smith would be able to harm Lynn Bracken while she's being protected by an outside agency.
Yep. They specify 'West Hollywood Sheriff's' too. Probably a smaller, out-of-the-way LA County Sheriff's Department station. 'Joan Smith' in a different agency's smaller police station would safely fly under Dudley's radar until he REALLY started looking for Lynn.
I love Jack's laugh when he dies; knowing he's screwed Dudley. And it's a callback Dudley's line in the beginning, "Jack, I doubt you've drawn a stupid breath in your life, don't start now."
There should be so many more people reacting to this film. Absolutely fantastic writing and casting, the chemistry with everyone was incredible as well. Great reaction guys!
My favorite quotes from your reaction are "OH NO! That's not you, Bud" and "don't kiss him in front of Bud!" And all the times Sam covered her face. So funny.
You know that hole in the floor at the hotel that Bud used in the final shootout? That hole is there because Bud pulled DeVeto out of the chair/the floor earlier during that interrogation and it left that hole. Brilliant.
Easily one of the greatest films ever made, rarely is a movie absolutely flawless and this is one of them. Also, it wasn't overshadowed by 'Lord of the Rings' it was up against 'Titanic' that year as was 'Good Will Hunting', another terrific film.
@@stevenhenry9605 It shouldn't even have been nominated. There are much better 97 films that weren't nominated, including Boogie Nights, Deconstructing Harry, I Know What You Did Last Summer & Starship Troopers.
Quick note: you guys were concerned that they had taken Lynn to the station. Important to know that it was the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Department that picked her up and took her to their station, not the LA Police Department. The two are completely separate. Captain Smith would have no jurisdiction with the Sheriff’s Dept. That’s why they’d figure she would be safe.
8:51 That symbol is called "Fleur de Lys", which translates roughly to "Lily Flower", and was originally associated with the French monarch. It's also the symbol used by Quebec, Canada.
One of the best movies of all time. I’m really happy that you two, out of all the reactors, chose to watch it. Thank you. I really love that you watch truly good movies and not just popular movies.
After the director, Curtis Hanson, passed away in 2016, a local LA theater held a marathon of all of his films over a week. I went to see LA Confidential because I had only previously enjoyed it at home, and let me tell you, the sound of the shootout was DEAFENING. Simply incredible, easily one of my top 10 favs of all time. So glad you two enjoyed it so much!!
This is probably the first movie I watched and saw people from down under (Australia and New Zealand) working on the same project. Russell Crow, Guy Pierce and Simon Baker. Even though Simon's role was short-lived in the movie, he went on to become quite a character in "The Mentalist". There have always been Aussies and Kiwis in movies, but this was the first time I had seen quite this many in a cast like this. Also, James Cromwell (Dudley Smith) ended up down here in my countryside on the Southern Highlands in NSW making 'Babe'. A lovely man who is nothing like his hard-edged characters. An absolute treasure to talk to and somebody who believes in what's right for those who cannot speak for themselves. Love you James!
Based on this reaction I think you would enjoy “Memento” also starring Guy Pierce, and “The Usual Suspects” if you haven’t already seen them. Both are very suspenseful with complex plots that keep you guessing until the end. Also a little different in that it’s a true story, “Serpico” is a good movie starring Al Pacino that shows how corrupt the New York City police department was in the 70s.
My favorite detective/neo-noir of all time! It's one of those movies i can't find a single fault from. I love the fact that it isn't being super flashy, but constantly moving forward, how beautifully everything connects while we get great character arcs from our main trio. Endlessly rewatchable and so entertaining! It's pretty near the #1 spot of my personal top-10 movies of all time.
One of the best crime dramas EVER. Such a great large cast and so many great performances. You guys got all the major points on first viewing--it took me watching it twice to get it all!
Now that you have seen this great period mystery you must see "Chinatown" set in L.A. of the 1930's ! This movie and "Chinatown" two of the best smart whodunnit detective movies ever made! The cherry on top for both movies is they have music scores by Jerry Goldsmith !
Absolutely fantastic reaction. You managed to follow along so well for what is a complicated plot. Also your reaction to "Rolo Tamassi" was incredible.
This is one of my favourites, Guy Pierce and Russell Crowe were pretty much unknown at the time. A great cast and a great story with its twists and turns and some of the characters really existed. Another one of my favourites in the gangster genre is Road to Perdition with Tom Hanks and Paul Newman.
Simon Baker, too (the young blonde gay kid). This movie was basically a casting call for Australian talent of the time to try and break into Hollywood. A bit recursive actually - "pretend you're a rent-boy and I'll make you a big star!"
I remember sitting in the theater watching this and I knew the minute Bud White pulled the Christmas lights off the house I was going to love this film.
LA confiential came out in 1997. The 1st "Lord of the Rings" movie came out in 2001. Lord of the rings was not around to overshadow LA Confidential. LA Confidential was one of the most highly praised/hyped movies of 1997. But the most hyped movie of 1997 was "Titanic". Which won the Oscar for the best movie that year.
The set dressing is impeccable. They filmed only where the buildings were built before the late forties. I know a lot of those buildings. This film is oh so L.A.
I love the way this movie uses actual characters and events from the LA Police history, such as Johnny stompanato a mob enforcer who was dating Lana Turner was an actual person in LA's history, and the LA police taking out mob guys as soon as they hit the airport and beating the crap out of them till they agreed to go home another real event
“LAPD, shitbird. Get the fuck outta here or I’ll call your wife to come get you.” You know Russel Crowe did fucking backflips when he heard he got this part.
In my top 5 movies of all time. Some people have either overlooked it or ignored it because Kevin Spacey is in it. I tend to separate art from the artist and realise that it's not fair to the hundreds of other artists who made this movie a timeless classic
Given how many people are involved in making a movie, statistically there are going to be some real creeps working on any film...the only difference being that when it's a famous movie star you know which one of them it is.
25:39 The thing with Lana Turner and Johnny Stompanato is real Hollywood history. The actress was dating the violent and abusive mobster. At one point Sean Connery got involved and beat Stompanato up on a movie set. Ultimately Stompanato was beating Turner and her daughter defended her mother, stabbing him to death.
This is such an amazing movie. I love how Exley and White are united by their utter commitment to doing the right thing, but as polar opposites from the procedural perspective. By the end they both have fully demonstrated some part of each other's skillset - Bud has demonstrated a keen analytical mind that he was never encouraged to use previously, and Ed will actually break the law when he knows it will better serve the common good by not giving Smith the opportunity to once again manipulate everything for his own goals.
Guys...long time watcher; 1st time leaving a comment. Just finished your GREAT reaction to this film! You're right; a fantastic movie in its time...that gets overlooked a little today. I'm trying to watch less reactions, in 2022; but I can't give you guys up. You do an excellent job...and your YT edits are the best around IMO. If you're looking for another great movie, w/Kevin Spacey...put American Beauty on your short-list; and if you need a little more Guy Pearce (Exley)...in an even greater mind-f*ck of a movie...Christopher Nolan's Memento is a winner!
Great reaction! The character of Matt Reynolds, that you thought looked familiar to you (found murdered in the motel room) was played by a very young Simon Baker, a fellow Aussie (or New Zealander?) along w/Russell Crowe and Guy Pearce, later became famous in the TV series "The Mentalist" and "The Guardian ", and films such as "Something New" and "The Devil Wears Prada". Love your Channel ❤ !
Kim Bassinger and Kevin Spacey were the biggest stars at the time, which is why they are so prominent on the movie poster, even though they are not the main characters. Crowe and Pierce were virtual unknowns at the time so they are much smaller on the poster, even though they are the 2 main characters.
The novel it's based on is even more complex. That the writer, Brian Helgeland, was able to cut up the story to fit into the movie and yet have it all make internal sense is considered maybe the greatest feat in translating page to screen.
James Ellroy wrote four connected books set in LA in that period, of which LA Confidential is the third. Buzz Meeks was actually the main character of the second book.
I agree. Unfortunately it ran against Titanic and they cleaned house. Any other year LA Con would have won hands down.The story, screenplay, direction and actors are simple perfect.
Kim Basinger deserved an award for this performance. This movie has two unknown Australians in the top two roles. Russel Crowe had done The Quick and the Dead and Guy Pearce had done Priscilla. And Kevin Spacey was on a roll of ace performances. Absolute magic casting. One of those films that rewards rewatching again and again.
Great film! You’re right, it’s one of those movies where you see more every time you watch it. If you haven’t seen many Russell Crowe movies, you obviously MUST see “Gladiator”, which earned the Academy Award for Best Picture, and him the Award for Best Actor. The next year he was nominated again for best actor for his role in “A Beautiful Mind” which also won Best Picture. For about a decade, Crowe was absolutely on fire in films. Also not to be missed are “The Insider” from 1999 (his first nomination for best actor); “Cinderella Man” with Renee Zellweger from 2005; and 2007’s “3:10 To Yuma” with both Crowe and Christian Bale. Would love to see reactions to any of these!
Yes to all of this. Very important list. I want to press the point when watching gladiator, watch the extended edition. It's much better. The villain isn't as whiny. Joaquin Phoenix is amazing in it. 310 to Yuma is special. Don't forget the nice guys with Ryan gosling. Or a real old school flick and watch the quick and the dead.
Russel Crowes character was initially supposed to have died…but test screenings from audiences wanted to see him live, so they reshot that last part with him in the car. That’s why he’s not a part of the ‘hero’ thing.
This was the first movie I ever saw with Russell Crowe, and I was immediately impressed. Damn, the guy had a good run there for about 10 years of being in great movies with amazing performances.
I saw this in the theatre in 1997 (it actually predates LOTR by roughly four years; it was overshadowed by Titanic) and dragged my dad and a couple friends to go see it as well. I watch it about twice a year so by now I’ve seen it at least 60-70 times and it never gets old. It’s so dense that I still occasionally notice things I haven’t seen prior. Absolutely one of my all time favorites and (I feel) a towering achievement in cinema.
What is great about this movie is that it incorporates real ppl and events into a fictional story. Bloody Christmas was a real event. Johnny Stompenato was a real bodyguard for Micky Cohen, and he did date Lana Turner. In fact; Lana Turner's daughter murdered Johnny Stompenato.
This is the movie that made its two Australian leads into major movie stars. Kim Basinger won the Academy Award for her role as Lynn. And I am proud as heck that the director is Canadian. Ron Rifkin, who played the Mayor here, was also in the 1972 Science Fiction classic, "Silent Running". Its star was Bruce Dern in one of his finest roles, and the director, Douglas Trumbull, just died a couple of weeks ago. Trumbull had been the genius behind the visual effects in "2001: A Space Odyssey" and also invented the IMAX film format and cameras/projection systems.
As many viewers may know, this is part of James Elroy's "LA Quartet" of books. Another - The Black Dahlia - has also been made into a movie, so if you really liked this, try that one too - it's also a 1950s "twisty-turny thing".
@@jackdubz4247 you gotta be able to separate the art from the artist. If we couldn’t there would be a huge amount of music and films we couldn’t enjoy.
According to Russel Crowe, he was so broke making this movie he had to take the back stairs to avoid his landlord as he couldn't afford to pay the rent. The studio didn't think he was right for the role, but the director stuck to his guns.
So good to see you reacting to this, it’s such a great movie. Also, as a few other commenters have pointed out, James Ellroy drew heavily from real life: Bloody Christmas was an actual event, Mickey Cohen and Johnny Stompanato were real people, Stompanato did in fact date Lana Turner, and ‘Hush-Hush’ is based on a real magazine, ‘Confidential,’ which was essentially the first Hollywood tabloid.
Fun fact for TBR/Samantha: Johnny Stompanato was an actual person/hoodlum under Mickey Cohen. In the scene where Lana Turner throws her drink in Exley's face, Johnny was actually Lana Turner's man for a time. He was a Marine and survived two battles in the Pacific Campaign only to stabbed to death by Lana's teen daughter while he was beating her mother. I don't know if the war turned him into a much worse person than before or if he was always a delinquent personality. Wiki: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Stompanato
This is one of the best written crime dramas of all time. SO many balls up in the air, so many storylines, and all of them interconnected while the movie doles out just enough information to keep you in the game along with the characters.
Long time watcher, first time commentor. Loved this reaction video. Has to be one of the best crime movies of all time. MEMENTO next...more Guy Pearce. A head scrambler like that would have an amazing reaction video
One of the best films ever; I must have watched it over thirty times in my life. It's a testament to a superb director and it is right up there with Chinatown.
You guys havent seen Gladiator? But IMO his best movie ever is... A Beautiful Mind. Aside from Master Commander and Gladiator of course. Another excellent movie he's in : American Gangster.
Chinatown and L.A. Confidential are the two best Neo Noirs, nothing else comes close except Blood Simple, the Cohens first ever movie, but the budget was a little too low to keep up with these two.
Truth. Even though he doesn't say it outright, Dudley Smith gives the aura of hating everyone who isn't him: Heterosexual, misogynistic, white, Irish, Catholic and a cop. That shows how good Cromwell is.
Johnny Stompanato was a real gangster and he actually had a relationship with the legendary Hollywood star Lana Turner. He died shot by the 16 y.o. daughter of Lana
If you want another complex mystery (with Guy Pierce) I'd recommend Memento by Christopher Nolan. Or you could fall down the Russell Crowe rabbit hole with Gladiator (a great film) and A Beautiful Mind, which won Crowe an Oscar and was best picture.
What's interesting is the book LA Confidential has a similar pace to it. James Ellroy's writing style is "rat-a-tat-tat", words bouncing off the pages. The movie did a great job of getting that same vibe. Reminds me of Usual Suspects in that there is a plot to unravel and you're in the dark until the end.
@@SuperWhofan1 It's tough to compare the two. One is a hard boiled cop drama and the other is a Coen Brothers-esc comedy. But yeah, they're both really good!
I Iove Film Noire but honestly I struggled with LA Confidential for a long time. It has an extraordinarily murky and convoluted plot. I knew though that it was very well regarded so I kept trying to watch it. I guess I had other things on my mind those times so I again kept giving up on it. Recently I watched it again and stayed with the plot. An absolutely brilliant reference film that absolutely deserves every accolade given it! That whole "Rollo Tomassi" moment might well be the most brilliant single moment in cinematic history! Now you gotta do The Usual Suspects!
There's details you only notice on a repeat viewing, which is usually the mark of a great movie. Bud initially goes down to the cells to try and stop Bloody Christmas, but then he loses it when the Mexican guy says "and fuck *your* mother!" Then we later learn the reason Bud hates men who beats women so much is he was forced as a child to watch his father kill his mother. That's why what the Mexican guy said to him set him off in a rage.
![L.A. Confidential (1997) First Time Watching [Movie Reaction]](/img/n.gif)
That scene with Kevin Spacey whispering "Rollo Tomassi" was brilliant. Just the most subtle way of saying, "I got you, asshole. We got you."
Yeah, that whole scene made me bug out.
I have seen this movie 20 yrs ago so many things were forgotten. But the reason i was thrown away with that name was the fact i was watching a lot of the manosphere UA-cam videos and the guy with the same name is the legend there.
And that little smile on his face as he dies...
The reason Spacey's character says Rollo Tomassi is because he means "You're the one who's never caught." He's "knows" Cromwell will get away with it, because he's too powerful.
@@NextExiter But it's a trap for Dudley. Ed told no one about Rollo Tomasi, except for Jack. When he mentioned the name to his killer, it's a guilty stamp on Dudley's head.
People always overlook the amazing character actor James Cromwell, that guy always gives 110%
Beginning of the movie: Would you shoot a man in the back you knew to be guilty?
TBR: NO!
End of the movie: SHOOT HIM!
LOL excellent observation
Just like exeley
Reality bites!🤯
He said "what", not "no".
The corruption & bigotry of the cops is historically accurate of that time.
The acting from Guy Pearce in the the scene where Dudley drops the Rollo Tomasi reveal is also just on point. Exley’s face is a mask, but you can just see the briefest moment where the realization hits him. That combined with the music makes it a stellar scene among many in this movie. Fun reaction you two, thank you!
Guy and Russel make a bad ass team. Killed everybody!
Guy pierce in momento is a good film I hope they do.
When his eyes widened, ever so slightly....freaking awesome!
Ellroy's novel is about five times more complex with even more characters that didn't make it to the movie. It's a real testament to the screenwriter they were able to adapt such an intricate story into such a good feature length film. The hard-bitten crime novel and movie ( especially set in the 1940s and 1950s) is one of my favorite genres. Samantha, since you like these types of crime thriller dramas, I think you'd really enjoy the classic film noirs made during those times. And Chinatown, even though it was filmed in the 1970s, like L.A. Confidential it's set in the 1950s is a must watch if you've not seen it yet. A masterpiece.
That's what I came here to say. I had to read the book twice to get it, but it was SO good.
Yes Chinatown
Definitely read the book(s). This is probably the best movie they good make out of the book, because it gave you the flavor. One good thing about the books is that they are sprinkled with the real people and the real happenings. And Ellroy's real mother was raped and killed and the murder never solved.
Anyone ever read 'gravities rainbow " from Pinchon? A complete clusterfuck of characters and storylines. More convoluted than this.
Ellroy himself said that he was very impressed that someone managed to turn the book into a coherent movie by dropping a bunch of plotlines/characters and combining the rest into a single story. So this is pretty much a case where you could ostensibly watch the movie to understand the book better instead of the other way around.
James Ellroy has said that while the whole "Lana Turner" scene is not in his book, he wishes he had written it.
Spacey has two moments I just love: one when Exley asks him why he became a cop, and Vincennes sits there for a moment, then does that sad little half-laugh and says, "I don't remember." The other was the moment when he's sitting in the bar waiting to go catch Reynolds with the DA, and he looks in the mirror before dropping the fifty on his cup and leaving. The look of absolute self-loathing on his face as he looks into the mirror is just so absolutely perfect. Anyway, glad to see someone watch this movie. It's one of my all-time favorites.
He should've been nominated for some awards for this performance imo. Heck Crowe and Pearce should've. Great cast!
FYI: The cop who was waiting at Lynne's home was an officer with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. That's a different law enforcement agency from the Los Angeles police department. When the officer said, "We took her to the station for safekeeping," he was referring to the Sheriff's station. It's unlikely that Dudley Smith would be able to harm Lynn Bracken while she's being protected by an outside agency.
Great info, seriously
Yep. They specify 'West Hollywood Sheriff's' too. Probably a smaller, out-of-the-way LA County Sheriff's Department station. 'Joan Smith' in a different agency's smaller police station would safely fly under Dudley's radar until he REALLY started looking for Lynn.
I love Jack's laugh when he dies; knowing he's screwed Dudley.
And it's a callback Dudley's line in the beginning, "Jack, I doubt you've drawn a stupid breath in your life, don't start now."
How is it a call back to that?
@@Mr.Goodkat because with his final breath, he set up Dudley to fall
Wow, I've seen this dozens of times and never caught that stupid breath line connection.
@@jonrussell6393 Yea, he uses his final breath to do the smartest thing ever
There should be so many more people reacting to this film. Absolutely fantastic writing and casting, the chemistry with everyone was incredible as well. Great reaction guys!
i just orderd my movie for dvd and watchd it on Netflix 2 weeks ago
So many great movies from this era are falling through the cracks with younger audiences. Sad to see, but these reaction channels give me hope.
One of the greatest movies ever made IMO. Every scene drives the plot forward as well as arcing the character development. This film is perfect.
My favorite quotes from your reaction are "OH NO! That's not you, Bud" and "don't kiss him in front of Bud!" And all the times Sam covered her face. So funny.
You know that hole in the floor at the hotel that Bud used in the final shootout? That hole is there because Bud pulled DeVeto out of the chair/the floor earlier during that interrogation and it left that hole. Brilliant.
I think Basinger got one for her hair, moreso than her acting
@@izzonj A "hole" for her hair?
I have seen this movie repeatedly over the years, and never made that connection until your post!
@@brucebieberly4166
Same here! I e seen it countless times and never put that together, thanks for the heads up!
Easily one of the greatest films ever made, rarely is a movie absolutely flawless and this is one of them. Also, it wasn't overshadowed by 'Lord of the Rings' it was up against 'Titanic' that year as was 'Good Will Hunting', another terrific film.
It's nowhere near that. It's far too slow. It has hookers but we never see any of them in action. It's very disappointing.
I thought then, and still think, LA Confidential should've won Best Picture.
@@stevenhenry9605 It shouldn't even have been nominated. There are much better 97 films that weren't nominated, including Boogie Nights, Deconstructing Harry, I Know What You Did Last Summer & Starship Troopers.
Certainly a better movie than the overblown "Titanic". This is in a similar class to "Chinatown".
@@tonybennett4159 Chinatown's script & acting are much better than LAC's.
Bud White:
"The Night Owl case made you. Do you want to tear all that down?"
Ed Exley:
"With a wrecking ball. You want to help me swing it?"
Thanks for repeating what I already heard
Awesome line.
@@voodoochile333 "Thanks for repeating what I already heard"
Russell Crowe was a complete unknown when this film was made. "LA Confidential" is the movie that put Crowe on the map. Ditto for Guy Pearce.
Watch the movie “Proof” (the Australian one with Hugo Weaving, not the Gwyneth Paltrow one) to see a super young Russell Crowe (1991)
Romper Stomper is the movie that put him on the map in Australia. It's not an easy watch but his performance is outstanding.
Not really, he was Hando in Romper Stomper and Cort in The Quick and the Dead.
I thought the movie that put Crowe on the map was 'Virtuosity.' 😂
@@sullyfox4993 That's where I know him from :) great movie, dated nowadays but excellent movie :)
Quick note: you guys were concerned that they had taken Lynn to the station. Important to know that it was the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Department that picked her up and took her to their station, not the LA Police Department. The two are completely separate.
Captain Smith would have no jurisdiction with the Sheriff’s Dept. That’s why they’d figure she would be safe.
Another Russell Crowe movie to watch is The Nice Guys. It came out in 2016 and co-stars Ryan Gosling. It's criminally underrated.
What a beautiful mind is a good film too
They mentioned they saw that already in the Master and Commander video. I hope they watch more Shane Black stuff though.
@@knowyourhistory well, crap.
No, it's lesser-known. It's not underrated. People love that movie when they see it.
@@Corn_Pone_Flicks that's the definition of an underrated film dipshit
8:51 That symbol is called "Fleur de Lys", which translates roughly to "Lily Flower", and was originally associated with the French monarch. It's also the symbol used by Quebec, Canada.
One of the best movies of all time. I’m really happy that you two, out of all the reactors, chose to watch it. Thank you. I really love that you watch truly good movies and not just popular movies.
After the director, Curtis Hanson, passed away in 2016, a local LA theater held a marathon of all of his films over a week. I went to see LA Confidential because I had only previously enjoyed it at home, and let me tell you, the sound of the shootout was DEAFENING. Simply incredible, easily one of my top 10 favs of all time. So glad you two enjoyed it so much!!
One of the best movies ever made. Glad you both got to watch it.
Yes!!!! LA Confidential! One of the most underappreciated movies around, both in general opinion and amount of reactions.
Great choice guys!
2 Oscars, 2 BAFTAs and a Golden Globe is "unappreciated" to you?
Yeah cuz underappreciated movies always win multiple Oscars *eye roll*
Now u guys gotta watch The Nice Guys!! It’s like LA Confidential’s comedy twin, and great chemistry between Ryan gosling and Russell Crowe
This is probably the first movie I watched and saw people from down under (Australia and New Zealand) working on the same project. Russell Crow, Guy Pierce and Simon Baker. Even though Simon's role was short-lived in the movie, he went on to become quite a character in "The Mentalist".
There have always been Aussies and Kiwis in movies, but this was the first time I had seen quite this many in a cast like this.
Also, James Cromwell (Dudley Smith) ended up down here in my countryside on the Southern Highlands in NSW making 'Babe'. A lovely man who is nothing like his hard-edged characters. An absolute treasure to talk to and somebody who believes in what's right for those who cannot speak for themselves. Love you James!
Based on this reaction I think you would enjoy “Memento” also starring Guy Pierce, and “The Usual Suspects” if you haven’t already seen them. Both are very suspenseful with complex plots that keep you guessing until the end. Also a little different in that it’s a true story, “Serpico” is a good movie starring Al Pacino that shows how corrupt the New York City police department was in the 70s.
Serpico is great..He was basically the first undercover cop that dressed the part.
Absolute Masterpiece of a Noire crime movie. Not only underrated but in my opinion one of the best movies of all time
My favorite detective/neo-noir of all time! It's one of those movies i can't find a single fault from. I love the fact that it isn't being super flashy, but constantly moving forward, how beautifully everything connects while we get great character arcs from our main trio. Endlessly rewatchable and so entertaining! It's pretty near the #1 spot of my personal top-10 movies of all time.
One of the best crime dramas EVER. Such a great large cast and so many great performances. You guys got all the major points on first viewing--it took me watching it twice to get it all!
Now that you have seen this great period mystery you must see "Chinatown" set in L.A. of the 1930's ! This movie and "Chinatown" two of the best smart whodunnit detective movies ever made! The cherry on top for both movies is they have music scores by Jerry Goldsmith !
And then follow those two with Live and Die in LA (another cops-on-the edge story of the 80s)
Absolutely fantastic reaction. You managed to follow along so well for what is a complicated plot. Also your reaction to "Rolo Tamassi" was incredible.
This is one of my favourites, Guy Pierce and Russell Crowe were pretty much unknown at the time. A great cast and a great story with its twists and turns and some of the characters really existed. Another one of my favourites in the gangster genre is Road to Perdition with Tom Hanks and Paul Newman.
Took me a couple watches before I realized the blonde that was arrested in the beginning was Angelina jolie.
Road to Perdition was where I first noticed Daniel Craig.
@@stevep2380 Do you mean the blonde who was arrested with the actor who later dies after sleeping with the DA? That's not Angelina Jolie
Simon Baker, too (the young blonde gay kid). This movie was basically a casting call for Australian talent of the time to try and break into Hollywood. A bit recursive actually - "pretend you're a rent-boy and I'll make you a big star!"
I remember sitting in the theater watching this and I knew the minute Bud White pulled the Christmas lights off the house I was going to love this film.
YES!!!
I love how Jack (Kevin Spacey) refused to take the bribery money in the bar and regained back his morals as an actual cop again.
Best Picture Oscar, 1997, Best supporting actress winner for Kim Basinger.Still one of my favs.
LA confiential came out in 1997. The 1st "Lord of the Rings" movie came out in 2001.
Lord of the rings was not around to overshadow LA Confidential.
LA Confidential was one of the most highly praised/hyped movies of 1997. But the most hyped movie of 1997 was "Titanic". Which won the Oscar for the best movie that year.
The set dressing is impeccable. They filmed only where the buildings were built before the late forties. I know a lot of those buildings. This film is oh so L.A.
LA Confidential is one hell of a flick, I'm glad you guys enjoyed it
I love the way this movie uses actual characters and events from the LA Police history, such as Johnny stompanato a mob enforcer who was dating Lana Turner was an actual person in LA's history, and the LA police taking out mob guys as soon as they hit the airport and beating the crap out of them till they agreed to go home another real event
“LAPD, shitbird. Get the fuck outta here or I’ll call your wife to come get you.”
You know Russel Crowe did fucking backflips when he heard he got this part.
Haha definitely
In my top 5 movies of all time. Some people have either overlooked it or ignored it because Kevin Spacey is in it. I tend to separate art from the artist and realise that it's not fair to the hundreds of other artists who made this movie a timeless classic
Given how many people are involved in making a movie, statistically there are going to be some real creeps working on any film...the only difference being that when it's a famous movie star you know which one of them it is.
25:39 The thing with Lana Turner and Johnny Stompanato is real Hollywood history. The actress was dating the violent and abusive mobster. At one point Sean Connery got involved and beat Stompanato up on a movie set. Ultimately Stompanato was beating Turner and her daughter defended her mother, stabbing him to death.
How the hell did I never hear this??? Great information, my friend!!!
I heard Johnny traveled across the Atlantic to try and kill Connery and that's when Sean beat him up people forget he was a bodybuilder in his prime
This is such an amazing movie. I love how Exley and White are united by their utter commitment to doing the right thing, but as polar opposites from the procedural perspective. By the end they both have fully demonstrated some part of each other's skillset - Bud has demonstrated a keen analytical mind that he was never encouraged to use previously, and Ed will actually break the law when he knows it will better serve the common good by not giving Smith the opportunity to once again manipulate everything for his own goals.
Guys...long time watcher; 1st time leaving a comment. Just finished your GREAT reaction to this film! You're right; a fantastic movie in its time...that gets overlooked a little today. I'm trying to watch less reactions, in 2022; but I can't give you guys up. You do an excellent job...and your YT edits are the best around IMO. If you're looking for another great movie, w/Kevin Spacey...put American Beauty on your short-list; and if you need a little more Guy Pearce (Exley)...in an even greater mind-f*ck of a movie...Christopher Nolan's Memento is a winner!
Yeah Momento would make a great reaction
Yes to Momento
I vote for Priscilla, Queen of the Desert , lol
Yes for both of those suggestions.
Nice to see someone finally react to L. A. Confidential. Corruption in Los Angeles police department in the 1950s is true.
Great reaction! The character of Matt Reynolds, that you thought looked familiar to you (found murdered in the motel room) was played by a very young Simon Baker, a fellow Aussie (or New Zealander?) along w/Russell Crowe and Guy Pearce, later became famous in the TV series "The Mentalist" and "The Guardian ", and films such as "Something New" and "The Devil Wears Prada". Love your Channel ❤ !
I could be wrong but I think Guy Pearce is British 🤔
@@davidstalley384 That could be it. Maybe he and his folks are Brits but he travelled down south as a baby?
@@eddhardy1054 Born in BRITIAN, now lives in Australia. Has duel citizenship.
@@raraparuka excellent. I'll definitely claim him as half Brit then 😊👍
Kim Bassinger and Kevin Spacey were the biggest stars at the time, which is why they are so prominent on the movie poster, even though they are not the main characters. Crowe and Pierce were virtual unknowns at the time so they are much smaller on the poster, even though they are the 2 main characters.
David Strathairn is such great actor, you should check him out in a movie called "Good night and good luck".
One of the most underrated films. Whenever I ask friends if they've seen it, it's usually a no answer.
The novel it's based on is even more complex. That the writer, Brian Helgeland, was able to cut up the story to fit into the movie and yet have it all make internal sense is considered maybe the greatest feat in translating page to screen.
James Ellroy wrote four connected books set in LA in that period, of which LA Confidential is the third. Buzz Meeks was actually the main character of the second book.
It deserved more Oscars than it recieved
I agree. Unfortunately it ran against Titanic and they cleaned house. Any other year LA Con would have won hands down.The story, screenplay, direction and actors are simple perfect.
@@2637amy I prefer LA. It was
Robbed
@@georgechapman9688Absolutely agree. One of the best ever made imho.
@20:21 the actor they said looked familiar is Simon Baker from the TV show "The Mentalist".
28:17 That was the coolest moment! I've never seen them that blown away by a reveal before.
Kim Basinger won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her work in this movie.
The author of the novel, James Ellroy, loves to pull from real history for his crime fiction. Bloody Christmas was a real event.
And Johnny Stampanado really did date Lana Turner.
@@lizd2943 Sean Connery disarmed him and decked him when he started dating Lana Turner instead.
@@georgemorley1029 And then Turner's daughter shot and killed him.
Kim Basinger deserved an award for this performance.
This movie has two unknown Australians in the top two roles. Russel Crowe had done The Quick and the Dead and Guy Pearce had done Priscilla. And Kevin Spacey was on a roll of ace performances. Absolute magic casting. One of those films that rewards rewatching again and again.
As much as I love James Cameron and do like Titanic (whatever cheezy it might be), L.A. Confidential should have won best picture that year.
Great film! You’re right, it’s one of those movies where you see more every time you watch it.
If you haven’t seen many Russell Crowe movies, you obviously MUST see “Gladiator”, which earned the Academy Award for Best Picture, and him the Award for Best Actor. The next year he was nominated again for best actor for his role in “A Beautiful Mind” which also won Best Picture. For about a decade, Crowe was absolutely on fire in films. Also not to be missed are “The Insider” from 1999 (his first nomination for best actor); “Cinderella Man” with Renee Zellweger from 2005; and 2007’s “3:10 To Yuma” with both Crowe and Christian Bale. Would love to see reactions to any of these!
Yes I would recommend the Insider, also two of his earlier Aussie movies Romper Stomper and Proof are very good
Yes to all of this. Very important list. I want to press the point when watching gladiator, watch the extended edition. It's much better. The villain isn't as whiny. Joaquin Phoenix is amazing in it.
310 to Yuma is special. Don't forget the nice guys with Ryan gosling. Or a real old school flick and watch the quick and the dead.
@@Arthur_King_of_the_Britons I actually think he should have won Best Actor for The Insider.
@@Arthur_King_of_the_Britons No not Romper Stomper i would not subject them to that!
I wish more reactors would do Cinderella Man and 3:10 to Yuma. Great Russell Crowe films.
Russel Crowes character was initially supposed to have died…but test screenings from audiences wanted to see him live, so they reshot that last part with him in the car. That’s why he’s not a part of the ‘hero’ thing.
He survives even worse in the book.
This was the first movie I ever saw with Russell Crowe, and I was immediately impressed. Damn, the guy had a good run there for about 10 years of being in great movies with amazing performances.
8:50 Yes, it's the logo for the Saints, for Quebec, and it's also the symbol of the French monarchy (it's a fleur-de-lys, by the way)
I saw this in the theatre in 1997 (it actually predates LOTR by roughly four years; it was overshadowed by Titanic) and dragged my dad and a couple friends to go see it as well. I watch it about twice a year so by now I’ve seen it at least 60-70 times and it never gets old. It’s so dense that I still occasionally notice things I haven’t seen prior.
Absolutely one of my all time favorites and (I feel) a towering achievement in cinema.
What is great about this movie is that it incorporates real ppl and events into a fictional story. Bloody Christmas was a real event. Johnny Stompenato was a real bodyguard for Micky Cohen, and he did date Lana Turner. In fact; Lana Turner's daughter murdered Johnny Stompenato.
- *PRIMAL FEAR (1996)*
- *CATCH ME IF YOU CAN (2002)*
- *GONE GIRL (2014)*
- *PRISONERS (2013)*
🔥🔥🔥🍿🙌
It was actually overshadowed by Titanic that year at the Academy Awards. Great film, great reaction!
You guys should watch Guy Pearce in a different type of role:
The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.
Yes!
Put that in a double bill with To Wong Foo staring Patrick Swayze.
This is the movie that made its two Australian leads into major movie stars. Kim Basinger won the Academy Award for her role as Lynn. And I am proud as heck that the director is Canadian.
Ron Rifkin, who played the Mayor here, was also in the 1972 Science Fiction classic, "Silent Running". Its star was Bruce Dern in one of his finest roles, and the director, Douglas Trumbull, just died a couple of weeks ago. Trumbull had been the genius behind the visual effects in "2001: A Space Odyssey" and also invented the IMAX film format and cameras/projection systems.
Rifkin played the district attorney, not the mayor.
One of the most realistic gun fights I’ve ever seen depicted on film is at the end at the hotel. Great movie.
one of my favorite films...fantastic old style noir...well deserved the oscar.
the rolo tomassi twist was a perfect piece or writing.
As many viewers may know, this is part of James Elroy's "LA Quartet" of books. Another - The Black Dahlia - has also been made into a movie, so if you really liked this, try that one too - it's also a 1950s "twisty-turny thing".
Kevin Spacey sure can do a great death scene. You can see the light leaving his eyes. What a performance.
True, however how he killed his career was his piece de resistance. I was a huge fan, but now I only see disgust.
@@dansiegel995 His vile actions have pretty much made half my old movie collection pretty unwatchable.
@@jackdubz4247 you gotta be able to separate the art from the artist. If we couldn’t there would be a huge amount of music and films we couldn’t enjoy.
According to Russel Crowe, he was so broke making this movie he had to take the back stairs to avoid his landlord as he couldn't afford to pay the rent. The studio didn't think he was right for the role, but the director stuck to his guns.
Now you need to watch “The Usual Suspects” and “Memento”
So good to see you reacting to this, it’s such a great movie. Also, as a few other commenters have pointed out, James Ellroy drew heavily from real life: Bloody Christmas was an actual event, Mickey Cohen and Johnny Stompanato were real people, Stompanato did in fact date Lana Turner, and ‘Hush-Hush’ is based on a real magazine, ‘Confidential,’ which was essentially the first Hollywood tabloid.
And Sean Connery, pre Bond, beat the shit out of Johnny.
@@JnEricsonx Yes! He knocked him the fuck out! It is *so* worth googling all the stuff in this movie. 😄
Lana Turner's fourteen year-old daughter actually stabbed Stompanato to death and the case was classified as justifiable homicide.
@@88wildcat Yes, he was very abusive and I think she thought he was going to kill her mother during a fight.
Fun fact for TBR/Samantha: Johnny Stompanato was an actual person/hoodlum under Mickey Cohen. In the scene where Lana Turner throws her drink in Exley's face, Johnny was actually Lana Turner's man for a time. He was a Marine and survived two battles in the Pacific Campaign only to stabbed to death by Lana's teen daughter while he was beating her mother. I don't know if the war turned him into a much worse person than before or if he was always a delinquent personality. Wiki: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Stompanato
Love this movie. One of the best crime stories and twists are great. Also loved Crowe and Pierce in this. Great dynamic between them.
Kim Basinger won an Oscar for her roll as Lynn Bracken.
Ok, now I STRONGLY suggest you guys watch The Chinatown and The Long Goodbye - two other AMAZING neo-noir movies that are set in L.A.
I’d also add Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.
This is one of the best written crime dramas of all time. SO many balls up in the air, so many storylines, and all of them interconnected while the movie doles out just enough information to keep you in the game along with the characters.
Long time watcher, first time commentor. Loved this reaction video. Has to be one of the best crime movies of all time. MEMENTO next...more Guy Pearce. A head scrambler like that would have an amazing reaction video
One of the best films ever; I must have watched it over thirty times in my life. It's a testament to a superb director and it is right up there with Chinatown.
You guys havent seen Gladiator? But IMO his best movie ever is... A Beautiful Mind. Aside from Master Commander and Gladiator of course. Another excellent movie he's in : American Gangster.
A beautiful Mind is such a gem.
Chinatown and L.A. Confidential are the two best Neo Noirs, nothing else comes close except Blood Simple, the Cohens first ever movie, but the budget was a little too low to keep up with these two.
If you enjoyed this I can highly recommend THREE DAYS OF THE CONDOR (1975), THE DAY OF THE JACKAL (1973), SERPICO (1973) or BULLITT (1968). : )
Let’s give some props to James Cromwell, who plays the evil Captain Dudley Smith. Such a great character actor.
Around this same time he played the farmer in Babe. Such contrasting characters.
Truth. Even though he doesn't say it outright, Dudley Smith gives the aura of hating everyone who isn't him: Heterosexual, misogynistic, white, Irish, Catholic and a cop. That shows how good Cromwell is.
That interrogation scene is one of my favorite scenes ever.
Yeah, it's literally perfection.
Love this reaction. L.A. Confidential is one of the greatest films of all time.
Was just looking for a good reaction to watch. Perfect timing!
Same here
Yes
Johnny Stompanato was a real gangster and he actually had a relationship with the legendary Hollywood star Lana Turner. He died shot by the 16 y.o. daughter of Lana
If you want another complex mystery (with Guy Pierce) I'd recommend Memento by Christopher Nolan. Or you could fall down the Russell Crowe rabbit hole with Gladiator (a great film) and A Beautiful Mind, which won Crowe an Oscar and was best picture.
Or another Guy Pierce movie Count of Monte Cristo, which also stars Passion of the Christ star Jim Caviezel and Superman Henry Cavill.
I was sitting in a theater when the captian shot Kevin Spacey the whole audience drew in a breath.
And a great underrated russell Crowe movie is cinderella man.
Kim wears the Veronica Lake do in the film and changes to the Marylin hairstyle at the end.
What's interesting is the book LA Confidential has a similar pace to it. James Ellroy's writing style is "rat-a-tat-tat", words bouncing off the pages. The movie did a great job of getting that same vibe. Reminds me of Usual Suspects in that there is a plot to unravel and you're in the dark until the end.
Agreed. Ellroy is a brilliant crime writer.
It's people like you that make me still want to make movies. I love you both.
There is another great film also directed by Curtis Hansen called "Wonder Boys", you might want to check it out sometime.
That was his best movie behind LA Confidential
@@SuperWhofan1 It's tough to compare the two. One is a hard boiled cop drama and the other is a Coen Brothers-esc comedy. But yeah, they're both really good!
I Iove Film Noire but honestly I struggled with LA Confidential for a long time. It has an extraordinarily murky and convoluted plot. I knew though that it was very well regarded so I kept trying to watch it. I guess I had other things on my mind those times so I again kept giving up on it. Recently I watched it again and stayed with the plot. An absolutely brilliant reference film that absolutely deserves every accolade given it! That whole "Rollo Tomassi" moment might well be the most brilliant single moment in cinematic history! Now you gotta do The Usual Suspects!
There's details you only notice on a repeat viewing, which is usually the mark of a great movie.
Bud initially goes down to the cells to try and stop Bloody Christmas, but then he loses it when the Mexican guy says "and fuck *your* mother!"
Then we later learn the reason Bud hates men who beats women so much is he was forced as a child to watch his father kill his mother.
That's why what the Mexican guy said to him set him off in a rage.
The Mexican guy is played by legendary stuntman Tom Rosales Jr.
3 Aussies got their big break because of this film, Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, & Simon Baker(The Mentalist)
10:27 "That's the fat, shitty cop, right??"
- Dude, I almost choked on my Frosted Flakes.😂😂😂