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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed movies.

L.A. Confidential
Warner Bros.


9.0

based on 28 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

based on 28 votes
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FILM:

Internet Movie Database

MPAA RATING: R for strong violence and language, and for sexuality

Starring Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, James Cromwell, Kim Basinger, and Danny DeVito

Based on James Ellroy's novel about the movie industry, corrupt cops, tabloid journalism, gangsters and sexual obsessions of every stripe, L.A. Confidential is set in 1950's Los Angeles.

GENRE(S):	Mystery
WRITTEN BY:	James Ellroy (novel) Brian Helgeland Curtis Hanson
DIRECTED BY:	Curtis Hanson
RELEASE DATE:	DVD: April 21, 1998 Video: April 21, 1998 Theatrical: September 19, 1997
RUNNING TIME:	136 minutes, Color
ORIGIN:	USA

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

Chicago Tribune Michael Wilmington

A movie bull's-eye: noir with an attitude, a thriller packing punches. It gives up its evil secrets with a smile.

100

New York Daily News Jami Bernard

A juicy noir stew of amorality that's the best thing since "Chinatown."

100

The New York Times Janet Maslin

A tough, gorgeous, vastly entertaining throwback to the Hollywood that did things right. As such, it enthusiastically breaks most rules of studio filmmaking today.

100

Variety Todd McCarthy

An irresistible treat with enough narrative twists and memorable characters for a half-dozen films.

100

Los Angeles Times Kenneth Turan

L.A. Confidential, with an exceptional ensemble cast directed by Curtis Hanson from James Ellroy's densely plotted novel, looks to be the definitive noir for this particular time and place.

100

Dallas Observer Michael Sragow

He's (Hanson) never before generated the kind of heat inside a picture--and out of it--that he has with L.A. Confidential.

100

San Francisco Chronicle Mick LaSalle

One of the best crime dramas to come along in years.

100

Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

Seductive and beautiful, cynical and twisted, and one of the best films of the year.

100

The Onion (A.V. Club) John Krewson

As the story unfolds, carefully and elaborately, what develops is not just a remarkably intricate crime tale but a brilliant and compassionate story of people who struggle to rise above their flawed nature. This may be the best movie of the year; it's definitely one of the greatest crime films of all time.

100

Entertainment Weekly Owen Gleiberman

Voluptuously engrossing.

100

TNT RoughCut Wendy Wilson

Blessed substance marries beautiful style in a '90s film noir.

Mr. Showbiz Richard T. Jameson

See L.A. Confidential. Be astonished at discovering anew how very, very satisfying movies can still be. And how fine that can feel.

Film.com John Hartl

L.A. Confidential is at the same time his (Hanson) most personal movie and Hollywood filmmaking at its best.

Film.com Sean Means

Once L.A. Confidential gets rolling, it hits with power, stunning in its sweep and surprising with its plot twists.

Washington Post Desson Thomson

There are so many things to enjoy here.

Chicago Reader Lisa Alspector

This movie restores genre elements to a level of potency that's disturbing, satisfying, and rare as hell.

Newsweek David Ansen

You have to pay close attention to follow the double-crossing intricacies of the plot, but the reward for your work is dark and dirty fun.

USA Today Mike Clark

This sleek adaptation of James Ellroy's dauntingly complex novel has the black-and-white tabloid soul of an old "Confidential" magazine.

ReelViews James Berardinelli

Lately, it seems that film noir has become the province of independent productions. As a result, it's refreshing to see a big-budget, studio effort of this sort that does nearly everything right.

Washington Post Stephen Hunter

Hanson delivers something ever rarer in film culture, not a new film noir but an old-fashioned total movie, somehow of a single piece.

Slate David Edelstein

That rare mainstream cop thriller that refuses to telegraph its outcome in the first 15 minutes or, for much of its running time, to tell you how to feel about its protagonists.

Time Richard Schickel

A movie of shadows and half lights, the best approximation of the old black-and-white noir look anyone has yet managed on color stock.

Austin Chronicle Marc Savlov

Full of period locations, costumes, and one very clever Lana Turner gag, it's easy to see why Ellroy is so pleased with the film.

Christian Science Monitor David Sterritt

The story is so complicated that the movie can't quite make it clear, but the picture has impressive energy and high-intensity performances from Kevin Spacey, Danny DeVito, and Guy Pearce.

San Francisco Examiner G. Allen Johnson

"The Big Sleep" and "The Maltese Falcon" echo loudly throughout.

Baltimore Sun Ann Hornaday

A glamorous, alluring entertainment that revels in the artifice of Hollywood while exposing its corrupt heart, L.A. Confidential pays stylish homage to some of the great film noirs of the distant and recent past.

Salon.com Dwight Garner

A movie that refuses to kick into gear until it's far too late.

TV Guide Maitland McDonagh

Director Curtis Hanson keeps the hugely complicated story zooming along the boulevard of broken dreams without losing sight of the details that make the trip worthwhile.

The average user rating for this movie is 9.0 (out of 10) based on 28 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Beercan gave it a10:
One of the best films of the 1990's and one of the very few I would allow a score of 10. This bleak, blackly humourous neo-noir may not be everyone's cup of tea (especially the dim-witted and easily distracted) but if you're willing to give yourself over to its hero-less, serpentine world, the rewards are stunning if you stick with it. The acting, writing, and directing are unimpeachable on all levels, and the movie is exceptionally crafted, with several awesome plot twists and developments. A near-classic. Years after the fact, it still stings that Titanic won Best Picture over this. It's an incredible achievement, not to be missed.

Katie P. gave it an 8:
Too long. good if you like this genre.

Pat C. gave it an 8:
It's OK. Nice job by Basinger - she's a cutie and keeps things interesting until the plot is developed enough to follow. However, the movie coveys the impression that L.A. has a corrupt soul when in fact it has no soul at all. This is not a movie for the ages, but should be required viewing for crime film buffs and L.A. mythology mavens.

Hal W. gave it a 10:
Great Film ! Not to be missed, Great storyline and acting by a great cast. Keeps you glued to the screen and delivers a real punch.

Yoon Min C. gave it a 5:
Fine directing, acting, writing, cinematography, and whatever else. However, unlike Chinatown, this is noir encased behind thick glass-plate window and luxuriously lit for museum purposes. It's noir as a mummy exhibition. No matter how gold varnished the coffin the thing inside is dead.

Willie W. gave it a 10:
One of the best films I have seen.

Gilbert gave it a 10:
The last good movie Danny DeVito ever made. And actually, I thought it got BETTER with every viewing. Watch it at Christmas for best effect. Best movie ever? "Top ten, anyway."

L.A. Confidential Warner Bros.

L.A. Confidential
Warner Bros.