KINORAFIELD GUIDE TO FILM
1997 · 138 min · R

L.A. Confidential

Directed by Curtis Hanson · Crime, Mystery, Thriller

L.A. Confidential (1997) is a Crime film, directed by Curtis Hanson set in Los Angeles during the 1950s. It runs 138 minutes and is rated R.

A neo noir and murder mystery, with a bleak and tense tone. Themes of power & corruption and betrayal play out through multiple perspectives.

Composer
Jerry Goldsmith
Cinematography
Dante Spinotti
Cast
Kevin SpaceyRussell CroweGuy PearceJames CromwellKim BasingerDanny DeVitoDavid StrathairnRon Rifkin

The world of this film

Setting

Where
Los Angeles
Setting
Urban
When
1950s

Premise & themes

Premise
Neo NoirMurder Mystery
Themes
Power & CorruptionBetrayal
Structure
Multiple Perspectives
Tone
BleakTense

Shape

Protagonist
EnsembleAntihero
Pacing
Measured
Based on
Historical Fiction

More like this

  • 2002

    Adaptation.

    Los Angeles · New York City · Florida — 1990s
    Urban · Wildernessdir. Spike Jonze
  • 1980

    Airplane!

    Los Angeles · Chicago — 1980s
    dir. Jim Abrahams
  • 2023

    American Fiction

    Boston · Los Angeles — 2020s
    Urban · Coastal Seadir. Cord Jefferson
  • 1998

    American History X

    Los Angeles — 1990s
    Urbandir. Tony Kaye
  • 1977

    Annie Hall

    New York City · Los Angeles — 1970s
    Urbandir. Woody Allen
  • 2012

    Argo

    Tehran · Los Angeles · Virginia — 1970s · 1980s
    Urbandir. Ben Affleck