Streaming Tonight: 4.1-Rated, 2-Oscar Masterpiece Hated by Its Own Creator!

Los Angeles, 1950s. In the aftermath of mob boss Mickey Cohen’s downfall, the city is engulfed in a wave of violent retribution. The criminal police force is fully engaged in the case of The Nite Owl massacre, which claimed the life of a former cop. Three detectives, each with a distinct style, must collaborate to unravel the complexities of a case that is more intricate than it initially appears.

A brilliant adaptation of the eponymous novel by renowned author James Ellroy in 1990, “L.A. Confidential” emerged as one of the significant Hollywood releases of the 1990s.

Directed by the late Curtis Hanson, who passed away in 2016, and scripted by Brian Helgeland, this gritty noir film features a mix of corrupt and unyielding cops, mobsters, prostitutes, petty informants, and unscrupulous journalists mingling in the fallen City of Angels. The film boasted an impressive ensemble cast including Kevin Spacey, James Cromwell, Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, Kim Basinger, David Strathairn, and Danny DeVito, to name just a few. The film garnered two Oscars, including Best Supporting Actress for Basinger.

Released in 1997, it grossed over $126 million at the global box office. Unfortunately, it was not a box office hit in France, attracting just under 590,000 viewers—a considerable injustice that time has fortunately corrected. To this day, “L.A. Confidential” remains the finest adaptation of James Ellroy’s universe.

While the artistic quality of this adaptation is no longer up for debate, it is somewhat ironic that Ellroy himself is not a fan, even going as far as to say it is “as shallow as a tortilla.” Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but not everyone may agree with him.

L.A. Confidential is available on france.tv until December 22. This gives you plenty of time to catch up if you’ve never seen this cinematic gem.