L.A. Confidential
US (1997): Drama
In a time when it seems that every other movie makes some claim to being a film noir, L.A. Confidential is the real thing -- a gritty, sordid tale of sex, scandal, betrayal, and corruption of all sorts (police, political, press -- and, of course, very personal) in 1940s Hollywood. The Oscar®-winning screenplay is actually based on several titles in James Ellroy's series of chronological thriller novels (including the title volume, The Big Nowhere, and White Jazz) -- a compelling blend of L.A. history and pulp fiction that has earned it comparisons to the greatest of all Technicolor noir films, Chinatown. Kim Basinger richly deserved her Supporting Actress Oscar® for her portrayal of a conflicted femme fatale; unfortunately, her male costars are so uniformly fine that they may have canceled each other out with the Academy voters: Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, Kevin Spacey, and James Cromwell play LAPD officers of varying stripes. Pearce's character is a particularly intriguing study in Hollywood amorality and ambition, a strait-laced "hero" (and son of a departmental legend) whose career goals outweigh all other moral, ethical, and legal considerations. If he's a good guy, it's only because he sees it as the quickest route to a promotion. (Amazon.com)
9 nominations, 2 Awards
· Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role 1997: Kim Basinger
· Best Achievement in Writing (Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published) 1997: Brian Helgeland & Curtis Hanson
· Best Picture of the Year 1997: Arnon Milchan, Curtis Hanson & Michael Nathanson, producers (Arnon Milchan/David L. Wolper, Warner Bros.)
· Achievement in Directing 1997: Curtis Hanson
· Achievement in Art Direction 1997: Jeannine Oppewall, Art Direction; Jay R. Hart, Set Decoration
· Achievement in Cinematography 1997: Dante Spinotti
· Achievement in Film Editing 1997: Peter Honess
· Achievement in Music (Original Dramatic Score) 1997: Jerry Goldsmith
· Achievement in Sound 1997: Andy Nelson, Anna Behlmer & Kirk Francis