L.A. Confidential - Case Study

Hannah Worboys

L.A. Confidential - 1997

- Narrative: Story of the corrupt LA police force in the 1950’s and an investigation that leads to an interesting climax. - Intricate and complicated storyline.- A constant voice over, voiced by the character Sid Hudgens in the form of a report. - Captions used at the beginning to introduce the characters.

General Information- Certificate 18: This is the minimum age of the target audience which has been legally set. This implies that the film includes language, images and content that could upset younger viewers. - Producer: Curtis Hanson - Director: Curtis Hanson, Arnon Milchan, Michael G. Nathanson - Writers: James Ellroy, Brian Helgeland, Curtis Hanson - Genre: Crime, Drama- Released: 1997- Released by: Warner Brothers- Star Cast: Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, Kim Basinger, Danny Devito- Tagline: Everything is suspect…Everyone is for sale…And nothing is what it seems- Awards:

Oscar – Best Artess in a Supporting Role (Kim Basinger) Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously

Produced or Published (Brian Helgeland, Curtis Hanson) Golden Globes – Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a

Motion Picture (Kim Basinger) BAFTA – Best Editing (Peter Honess) Best Sound (Terry Rodman, Roland N. Thai, Kirk Francis, Andy aNelson, Anna Behlmer, John Leveque)

StructureL.A. Confidential uses Realist, Liner and Closed Ending narrative structures.

Realist:- Corruption does exist- Plausible storyline - Credible investigative techniques and interviews

of suspects- Greed- Fight scenes and injury's depicted realistically- Convincing emotions

Liner:- There is a beginning, middle and an end

Closed Ending: - The narrative in the film reaches a conclusion

Narrative

Set in LA in the 1950’s full of corrupt cops, mob boss’, drugs and prostitutes. Following the murder of all the customers in a restaurant; The Night Owl, three very different detectives are drawn into the investigation. They have to deal with many false apparently unconnected leads but finally uncover links to other murders, the mob, prostitution and corruption all the way to the top.

Character Profiles- Detective Lieutenant Edmund J. Exley (Played by Guy Pearce) Detective Lieutenant Edmund J. Exley is a very ambitious and honest character. He is very serious and is only prepared to do things by the book.

- Detective Jack Vincennes (Played by Kevin Spacey) Detective Jack Vincennes is more worried about his celebrity status and is an advisor to a TV police drama, Badge of Honor, and is also involved in providing scoop celebrity arrests for Sid Hudgens and his scandal magazine Hush Hush.

Character Profiles- Detective Wendell ‘Bud’ White (Played by Russell Crowe) Detective Wendell ‘Bud’ White is not known for his investigative skills but more for his brute violence, especially towards those who are violent against women.

- Lynn Bracken (Played by Kim Basinger) Lynn Bracken is a high class prostitute, celebrity look alike, who's liaisons with celebrities and high ranking officials is used to blackmail them. During the investigation she becomes romantically involved with Detective Wendell ‘Bud’ White.

Character Profiles- Sid Hudgens (Played by Danny DeVito) Scandal writer/ photographer for Hush Hush magazine and is also involved in the blackmail of celebrities and officials. He liaises with Detective Jack Vincennes who helps to provide scoop by arresting known public figures.

TechnicalNeo-noir: Neo-Noir refers to the style and visual techniques/ elements and is an updated and modern version of film noir.Camera angles: L.A. Confidential uses multiple camera angles –

- Close up

- Establishing shot

- Over the shoulder shot

Editing: the editing was slick and methodical. Posters and postcards were used at the beginning to emphasise the picture perfect Hollywood scene.