L.A. Confidential (1997)

The critic hails it as a magnificent, certified classic and one of the most intelligent thrillers ever made, superior to Chinatown in richness and dynamism. It singles out the brilliant adaptation of Ellroy's novel, the intensely committed ensemble performances (especially Crowe and Pearce), and the perfect blend of moral analysis with thrilling entertainment.

The critic describes the film as a compelling, dark, dangerous and intoxicating tale of trouble in paradise that contrasts sunny perceptions with brutal corruption. He notes the director's authentic approach to the source material and period setting while focusing on character and plot.

The film is a masterful adaptation of Ellroy's complex novel and a brilliant, compassionate story of flawed people. It stands as one of the greatest crime films of all time.

The critic finds nothing imperfect in the film's period details and performances, including the restraint of Danny DeVito. It delivers professional excitement while being profound about the running of America.

The critic calls it a classic film noir. The review highlights the complex plot involving three LA cops and a classy hooker amid blurred lines between press, mobsters, and police, with strong performances from Pearce and Crowe.

The critic describes it as a formidable and oddly delicate thriller that revives the sense of Los Angeles as a warren of lies and secrets. They praise the character transformations, fluent adaptation of the source material, and the film’s silken skein of nerves.

The critic praises the film as a tough, gorgeous, vastly entertaining throwback to classic Hollywood filmmaking that breaks modern studio rules. She highlights its brilliant adaptation of the novel, surprising mystery plot, and strong performances from an ensemble including Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, and Kevin Spacey.

The piece celebrates the film as Hollywood's last great noir, praising its cynical take on the LA dream and the performances that launched careers. It notes the critical acclaim and Oscar success despite competition from Titanic.

The writer praises the adaptation for condensing the dense novel while preserving characters and milieu, calling it a beautifully played ensemble piece with authentic period details.

Hanson's adaptation of Ellroy's complex novel is a towering achievement and probably the finest mystery thriller since Chinatown. It excels as a subtle, shocking, compelling and immensely assured exposé of corruption, violence and scandal in 1950s LA.

The critic calls the film an irresistible treat packed with narrative twists and memorable characters, and the best of its type since Chinatown. They highlight the superbly drawn characters and the way the film restores the primacy of the dramatic line in crime storytelling.

The film is one of the best neo-noirs of the ’90s and a fine example of classical Hollywood storytelling, though its shiny surfaces make it middlebrow and its conclusion undermines the darkness.

The critic praises Hanson's complex dive into Ellroy's world and the fine ensemble performances, particularly from Crowe, Pearce, Spacey, Basinger, and DeVito, along with the evocative 1950s LA cinematography and score. Some changes from the book are noted but accepted as the film delivers inspired storytelling overall.

The critic calls the film a masterpiece, praising the adapted screenplay, ensemble cast performances, direction and cinematography. The one thing singled out for praise is Dante Spinotti’s masterful cinematography capturing the feeling of 1950s LA.

Hanson’s sophisticated, complex detective thriller ranks among the best noirs of the 20th century alongside Chinatown. It singles out the essential goodness in the three lead detectives that helps them overcome the immorality around them.

The film is a masterful period noir with an elegant script that ranks among the best ensemble-driven stories in cinema. It singles out the portrayal of Los Angeles as a place where the image of heroism matters more than actual virtue.

L.A. Confidential is a major masterpiece and one of the best movies of the 1990s, the most critically adored studio film of its generation. It singles out Hanson achieving sheer perfection in this one film after a steady career of varied work.