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The Rewatchables ·

L.A. Confidential

year 1997decade 90sdirector Curtis Hansongenre Crimegenre Thriller
host Bill Simmonshost Chris Ryanhost Sean Fennesseyhost Andy Greenwaldproducer Craig Horlbeck theme CR Month
All 49 categories

The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award · 1:40:14

One participant cannot find a hot take.

Bill Simmons: One participant cannot find a hot take.

The film is called a perfect modern period piece, combining 1950s design with 1990s acting and cutting.

The film

L.A. Confidential (1997)

Directed by Curtis Hanson · Crime

138 minutes

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Cast

Selected cast credits · Film reference

Kevin Spacey Detective Sergeant Jack "Hollywood Jack" Vincennes
Russell Crowe Officer Wendell "Bud" White
Guy Pearce Detective Lieutenant Edmund "Shotgun Ed" Exley
James Cromwell Captain Dudley Smith
Kim Basinger Lynn Bracken
Danny DeVito Sid Hudgens
David Strathairn Pierce Morehouse Patchett
Ron Rifkin District Attorney Ellis Loew
Graham Beckel Detective Sergeant Richard "Dick Stens" Stensland
Amber Smith Susan Lefferts
John Mahon Police Chief
Paul Guilfoyle Meyer "Mickey" Cohen
Matt McCoy Brett Chase
Paolo Seganti Johnny Stompanato
Simon Baker Matt Reynolds
Tomas Arana Detective Sergeant Michael Breuning
Michael McCleery Detective Sergeant William Carlisle
Shawnee Free Jones Tammy Jordan
Darrell Sandeen Leland "Buzz" Meeks
Gwenda Deacon Mrs. Lefferts
Jim Metzler Councilman
Brenda Bakke Lana Turner

Everything from the episode

In the order the hosts got to it. Open a row for the discussion.

10:54

Casting What-Ifs

Hansen wanted unfamiliar leads; McConaughey was reportedly considered, but is doubted as Exley. Matt Damon’s Departed...

Hansen wanted unfamiliar leads; McConaughey was reportedly considered, but is doubted as Exley. Matt Damon’s Departed role is compared with the part.

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:10:54Read transcript
  • Hansen wanted unfamiliar leads; McConaughey was reportedly considered, but is doubted as Exley. Matt Damon’s Departed role is compared with the part.
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37:23

Half-Assed Internet Research

Hansen reportedly screened The Bad and the Beautiful, In a Lonely Place, The Lineup, Private Hell 36 and Kiss Me Dead...

Hansen reportedly screened The Bad and the Beautiful, In a Lonely Place, The Lineup, Private Hell 36 and Kiss Me Deadly for the cast.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 00:37:23Read transcript
  • Hansen reportedly screened The Bad and the Beautiful, In a Lonely Place, The Lineup, Private Hell 36 and Kiss Me Deadly for the cast. — Andy Greenwald
  • Sterling Hayden in The Killing is discussed as an influence on Bud White; the novel’s Bud is much larger.
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40:50

Recasting Couch

David Caruso as Jack Vincennes, after Sid is considered

David Caruso as Jack Vincennes, after Sid is considered

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 00:40:50Read transcript
  • David Caruso is suggested for Sid, then preferred as Jack Vincennes; the latter fits the more worn-down book character. — Bill Simmons
  • Christian Bale is proposed as Exley in a mid-2000s version because of his intelligence and stiff posture.
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1:03:25

Roger Ebert's review
In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:03:25Read transcript
  • Ebert gave four stars and called the film one of the year’s best; the hosts find the praise predictable. — Bill Simmons
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1:03:25

Half-Assed Internet Research

A $35 million budget; gross unresolved pending a recording check

A $35 million budget; gross unresolved pending a recording check

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:03:25Read transcript
  • A $35 million budget and gross transcribed as 1.26.2 million are reported; the gross needs a recording check. — Bill Simmons
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1:33:25

Recasting Couch

Buscemi and Kevin Pollak are suggested for Sid.

Buscemi and Kevin Pollak are suggested for Sid.

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:33:25Read transcript
  • Buscemi and Kevin Pollak are suggested for Sid. — Chris Ryan
  • Billy Crystal is preferred if casting a famous star; Larry David is a dream choice because his face was less familiar in 1997.
  • Billy Crystal is rejected as too famous; the counterargument prefers him if the part requires a celebrity. — Bill Simmons
  • A Sid alternative transcribed as Panow is suggested; the actor identity remains unresolved. — Chris Ryan
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1:39:28

Picking Nits

Patchett’s business background prompts the objection that gambling should be part of his criminal operation.

Patchett’s business background prompts the objection that gambling should be part of his criminal operation.

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:39:28Read transcript
  • Patchett’s business background prompts the objection that gambling should be part of his criminal operation. — Andy Greenwald
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1:43:28

Casting What-Ifs

McConaughey reportedly regretted declining, Crowe was persuaded after refusing, and an Isabella Scorupco offer is exp...

McConaughey reportedly regretted declining, Crowe was persuaded after refusing, and an Isabella Scorupco offer is explicitly doubted alongside reports Basinger was first choice.

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:43:28Read transcript
  • McConaughey reportedly regretted declining, Crowe was persuaded after refusing, and an Isabella Scorupco offer is explicitly doubted alongside reports Basinger was first choice. — Bill Simmons
  • A Michael Madsen as Bud report is rejected as implausible. — Bill Simmons
  • A Pamela Anderson as Lynn report is also disbelieved; the hosts discuss unreliable trivia accumulating over time.
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1:48:47

Recasting Couch

The Dudley suggestion observed as Apostle/postuate (identity unresolved; may signal villainy too early)

The Dudley suggestion observed as Apostle/postuate (identity unresolved; may signal villainy too early)

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:48:47Read transcript
  • A Dudley suggestion transcribed as Apostle/postuate is praised for Irish authenticity but may signal villainy too early; the identity needs confirmation.
  • Campbell Scott, Josh Charles, Matt Damon and Ed Norton are proposed for Exley; Norton’s availability is questioned.
  • Ed Burns as Exley is considered, prompting recollection of a detective show.
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1:52:47

Half-Assed Internet Research

Camera angles reportedly excluded later tall buildings, and Pearce wore a wig for the fight shot months after princip...

Camera angles reportedly excluded later tall buildings, and Pearce wore a wig for the fight shot months after principal photography.

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:52:47Read transcript
  • Camera angles reportedly excluded later tall buildings, and Pearce wore a wig for the fight shot months after principal photography. — Andy Greenwald
  • Daryl Gates’s congratulatory cameo is called controversial. — Andy Greenwald
  • Inez has a much larger role in the novel.
  • Patchett’s house and Lynn’s house are real locations; the Victory Motel was built near oil fields. — Bill Simmons
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2:05:29

Picking Nits

Basinger’s resemblance and acting style are questioned against the more playful Veronica Lake.

Basinger’s resemblance and acting style are questioned against the more playful Veronica Lake.

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 02:05:29Read transcript
  • Basinger’s resemblance and acting style are questioned against the more playful Veronica Lake. — Bill Simmons
  • The Lana Turner likeness works, but her Stompanato relationship is said to be shifted earlier. — Bill Simmons
  • Minor anachronism hunting is dismissed; Dudley’s no-glasses assertion is contradicted by another cop at the party. — Sean Fennessey
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2:12:29

Probably Unanswerable Questions

Exley’s attraction to Lynn is interpreted as possibly involving Bud; removing Inez’s book relationship changes his ch...

Exley’s attraction to Lynn is interpreted as possibly involving Bud; removing Inez’s book relationship changes his characterization.

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 02:12:29Read transcript
  • Exley’s attraction to Lynn is interpreted as possibly involving Bud; removing Inez’s book relationship changes his characterization.
  • Would the film improve if Bud died, and how could he and Lynn support themselves in Arizona after his injuries? — Bill Simmons
  • Ending at the motel is proposed, omitting the explanatory finale compared with Psycho. — Bill Simmons
  • Would Shams adopting Sid’s tabloid style make sports reporting more entertaining?
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2:18:54

Best Double Feature

Chinatown is offered as the obvious pairing; Who Framed Roger Rabbit shares postwar detectives, cover-ups and highway...
L.A. Confidential
Chinatown
Who Framed Roger Rabbit
In a Lonely Place
Touch of Evil
The Black Dahlia
The Blue Dahlia
Gaslit by My Husband
Hollywoodland
In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 02:18:54Read transcript
  • Chinatown is offered as the obvious pairing; Who Framed Roger Rabbit shares postwar detectives, cover-ups and highway development.
  • In a Lonely Place and Touch of Evil are suggested; The Black Dahlia is offered as a comparison more than an enjoyable film.
  • The Blue Dahlia is recommended as a less-seen noir featuring Veronica Lake and Alan Ladd, with a Chandler screenplay. — Sean Fennessey
  • Gaslit by My Husband is jokingly proposed to watch first; In a Lonely Place is reiterated. — Chris Ryan
  • Hollywoodland is an additional late double-feature suggestion. — Chris Ryan
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2:21:44

Producer review

Liked the three leads and story; disliked the film, DeVito, Basinger, and cheesy dialogue

Liked the three leads and story; disliked the film, DeVito, Basinger, and cheesy dialogue

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 02:21:44Read transcript
  • The producer liked the lead three actors and story but did not love the film; DeVito, Basinger and the dialogue felt cheesy.
  • The response acknowledges a clunky line, recommends a second viewing and emphasizes the period lexicon and noir influences. — Craig Horlbeck
  • Gangster Squad and Live by Night illustrate similar films that struggle; Hollywoodland is offered as a pairing.
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