Yes. It's like something out of a Greek tragedy, where he loses his life in regaining his honor. And it's a nice touch that the last thing he says as he dies is both a realization of the truth -- both in an immediate sense and in a larger sense -- and also a trap for his killer. It's a brilliant script.
That tiny huff of breath at 1:38, " I don't remember. " and his eyes misting over is excellent acting. Spacey's finest role for me. A man seeking redemption but unaware of the danger ahead. Brilliant work.
I mean I care what he’s like off screen, but I also think he’s an acting genius. I will continue to enjoy his previous roles but don’t care to contribute any further to his financial well-being by going out of my way to watch anything new.
Man, I hate to say it, but Spacey manages to show Jack's vulnerability with 3 words. The ego of his character finally drops in this scene, and it's extremely heart felt and sad.
@@mikespearwood3914 because of Spacey being outed as a sexual predator. Some people feel conflicted praising an actor's performance, while knowing they were a horrible person.
@@garysmith1863He snitched on the cops involved in Bloody Christmas and proposed the solution to that PR nightmare to Chief Parker. As a reward, they gave him promotion to Detective Lieutenant.
Ever go to movie and just assume its going to suck but, you got nothing better to do...? then have one of the best moving going experiences in your life...?
I just expected a well-done modern take on an old, but predictable genre, I did not expect to be mesmerized by it from minute one to final IN SPITE of me knowing the cliches, tropes, and story beats well in advance.
@@lin2thez341 The first "Sicario" was my most recent happy surprise, my friend insisted we go see it. Not as good As "LA Confidential" but still pretty damn good.
His "I don't remember" face and delivery, while masterful, is similar to "I have my whole life ahead of me" in American Beauty. I mean, this face, expression and delivery is Spacey's trademark.
The moment when you realise you are a real-life cop; not just some external Council or a tv-show (Badge of Honour) celebrity. Damn this is a good movie!
This masterpiece losing to Titanic will always be one of the biggest Oscar crimes ever! Well, this and Terminator 2: Judgment Day not even having been nominated for Best Picture & Best Director.
I wish for more movies just like this with awesome stories like this, one of those you can watch every year and it always feels like its the first time you watched it
I always believed that “I don’t remember” was a lie. And the truth was that Jack’s reason for becoming a cop was basically the same as Exley’s. but he just couldn’t say it.
In a way it gives Jack a different insight of Exley and that there is more to him than everybody says, that he’s not just a political animal and that there is more to him, and Jack finally realizes that.
I've long thought that James Ellroy's 'American Tabloid' would make for a brilliant mini series on the likes of HBO. Too much detail for a 2-3 hour movie but just right for 6 to 8 1-hour episodes.
@@tm2811 You got that right Two other Great American Novels that would fail as movies but would make terrific three part min-series; Guard Of Honor and The Eighth Day .Spacey would be brilliant in Guard Of Honor as base security chief Botwinnick.
Kevin Spacey is a master of making his character feel real in every single scene. He is perfect as Jack Vincennes. He has the cool and then you can feel there's more to him than just Hollywood Jack, already when he begains to investigate after Fleur-de-Lis, then when he leaves the 50 dollarsa behind and then this. But let's be fair: everbody was great in this. Kim Basinger, Crowe Pierce, everybody, even the small character parts.
He tells a whole stoey with that sigh and slight change of expression on his face. Amazing actor. Miss him. We should be allowed to watch his artistry. Excluding him for allegations... such a waste of talent. As if there were tons of actors of his calibre around.
Honestly, it is true I don't remember many things (95 to 98% of the total volume) exactly. I only guess and everything in my mind is superficial, blurry and hazy, sort of like I am groping for my recollection in a dark room. It was very vivid in the past. That's an honest account and I hope, you trust me. Thanks.
It holds 2-fold meaning to me. Exley's confession of why he became a cop I think led Jack to the same realization of why he himself became a cop, and just like Exley, his path became blurred and went after glory, fame, and money. So his "i don't know" here means both his unwillingness to express that weakness and indication that his own path strayed from original purpose.
No,.it's ruined because you let the media frenzy brainwash you. Mind you 1. you don't really know what happened 2. You don't know what other actors are hiding (or not hiding) you only enjoy their films because the media don't make (up) stories about them. Concentrate on what you know and not on what you just believe without proof. The only thing we know for sure is that Spacey is a masterful actor. And that the media will do anything for money. Hush-hush.
Man what an amazingly subtle yet masterful delivery of that line “I don’t remember.” So talented, so troubled.
"I don't remember."
I think that's the saddest thing in the entire movie. Holy shit.
Yes. It's like something out of a Greek tragedy, where he loses his life in regaining his honor. And it's a nice touch that the last thing he says as he dies is both a realization of the truth -- both in an immediate sense and in a larger sense -- and also a trap for his killer. It's a brilliant script.
One of THE best line readings of all time. That single line reading is what made me want to be an actor
Agreed! Also, I love the change in tone when Jack says, " What's your point? " Subtly intimate. His best performance.
That tiny huff of breath at 1:38, " I don't remember. " and his eyes misting over is excellent acting. Spacey's finest role for me. A man seeking redemption but unaware of the danger ahead. Brilliant work.
I dont give a shit about what he is like off screen, Kevin Spacey is an acting genius.
It's incredible how good he is.
Agreed 100%!
hes a legend 🔥🔥
I mean I care what he’s like off screen, but I also think he’s an acting genius. I will continue to enjoy his previous roles but don’t care to contribute any further to his financial well-being by going out of my way to watch anything new.
Agreed. Due to some dubious behavior, a career is lost? Bull.
"I don't remember" that and the "Rolo Tomassi" mentions later give me chills.
Man, I hate to say it, but Spacey manages to show Jack's vulnerability with 3 words. The ego of his character finally drops in this scene, and it's extremely heart felt and sad.
Why would you "hate to say it"?
@@mikespearwood3914 because of Spacey being outed as a sexual predator. Some people feel conflicted praising an actor's performance, while knowing they were a horrible person.
An absolutely amazing actor, some of his finest working this, his death scene is one of the best ever. Unfortunate
@@keyserjosaid321 they're all at it
@@keyserjosaid321 what a pervert,? No, sorry to disappoint
Love that subtle 'lieutenant'...
You remember WHY you're a lieutenant, don't you...?
Passed the Lieutenant’s exam? Been a while since I’ve seen the movie.
@@garysmith1863He snitched on the cops involved in Bloody Christmas and proposed the solution to that PR nightmare to Chief Parker. As a reward, they gave him promotion to Detective Lieutenant.
Ever go to movie and just assume its going to suck but, you got nothing better to do...? then have one of the best moving going experiences in your life...?
Absolutely. I experienced it with Se7en.
I just expected a well-done modern take on an old, but predictable genre, I did not expect to be mesmerized by it from minute one to final IN SPITE of me knowing the cliches, tropes, and story beats well in advance.
Just watched it tonight, instantly shot into my top ten of all time.
I didn't see this in the theater but the analogy for me is No Country For Old Men. and I love them both.
@@lin2thez341 The first "Sicario" was my most recent happy surprise, my friend insisted we go see it. Not as good As "LA Confidential" but still pretty damn good.
Perfect example of, less is more.
Will you go to lunch
+plumlogan Another perfect example, and great reference
True. Spacey conveys volumes in a very few words. Brilliantly understated.
Somewhat forgotten, very underrated, and quite phenomenal movie. Great cast with so many great acting moments but this one was probably the best.
I can think of at least 2 forgotten movies released in 1997 where Los Angeles is a character in itself: LA Confidential and Jackie Brown.
"Why did you become a community guidelines officer at TH-cam?" "I don't remember..." LOL
Jack’s death scene is some of the best acting I’ve ever seen.
His "I don't remember" face and delivery, while masterful, is similar to "I have my whole life ahead of me" in American Beauty. I mean, this face, expression and delivery is Spacey's trademark.
The moment when you realise you are a real-life cop; not just some external Council or a tv-show (Badge of Honour) celebrity. Damn this is a good movie!
This masterpiece losing to Titanic will always be one of the biggest Oscar crimes ever! Well, this and Terminator 2: Judgment Day not even having been nominated for Best Picture & Best Director.
The Titanic is overrated.
I think this and titanic are equally good😊
Don't forget Shakespear in Love.
The Dark Knight should have been nominated as well!
@@karga23 Word. Shakespeare in Love over Saving Private Ryan was criminal. Still pisses me off to this day.
Kevin is such a beautiful talented badass actor! He lights up the screen a true talent 🥰🥰🥰🥰
That little pause,the “What?” and then speaking slowly as he cottons on to what Ed’s talking about should be taught as examples of subtle acting.
I like how Spacey changes his tone from sarcasm to gentle understanding with the line, " What's your point? "
I wish for more movies just like this with awesome stories like this, one of those you can watch every year and it always feels like its the first time you watched it
FANTASTIC MOVIE & THE SOUNDTRACK IS JUST WOW
Love the way he says “I don’t remember”, cynicism sucks.
I always believed that “I don’t remember” was a lie.
And the truth was that Jack’s reason for becoming a cop was basically the same as Exley’s.
but he just couldn’t say it.
the moment a good movie became a great one
Bravo, D&BF
In a way it gives Jack a different insight of Exley and that there is more to him than everybody says, that he’s not just a political animal and that there is more to him, and Jack finally realizes that.
So well written, directed and acted
Kevin Space is an incredibly gifted actor.
Im more a fan of Kevin Galaxy
Such a powerful scene. Oh man!
Anybody else ever wish HBO or Showtime would do a really good cop show modeled after LA Confidential?
I've long thought that James Ellroy's 'American Tabloid' would make for a brilliant mini series on the likes of HBO. Too much detail for a 2-3 hour movie but just right for 6 to 8 1-hour episodes.
@@tm2811 You got that right Two other Great American Novels that would fail as movies but would make terrific three part min-series; Guard Of Honor and The Eighth Day .Spacey would be brilliant in Guard Of Honor as base security chief Botwinnick.
Funnily enough there was an L.A. Confidential tv show! But nobody ever praises it so I guess it wasn't as good
Exley reveals here the "true reason" why he became a cop. To get justice for his dad and not to go up the ladder through politics.
Very good actors in a very good movie.
This line was so good I didnt remember it from the last 2 times I watched it! Too touching to remember.
Kevin Spacey is a master of making his character feel real in every single scene. He is perfect as Jack Vincennes. He has the cool and then you can feel there's more to him than just Hollywood Jack, already when he begains to investigate after Fleur-de-Lis, then when he leaves the 50 dollarsa behind and then this.
But let's be fair: everbody was great in this. Kim Basinger, Crowe Pierce, everybody, even the small character parts.
The "I don't remember" line probably means that Jack also has past Trauma like Exley. Even though he hides it very well with his cunning personality
He tells a whole stoey with that sigh and slight change of expression on his face. Amazing actor. Miss him. We should be allowed to watch his artistry.
Excluding him for allegations... such a waste of talent. As if there were tons of actors of his calibre around.
@@richardkovacs2006 Spacey is not the actor he used to be they would also ruin him in bad movies now a days.
and the Oscar goes to Kim Basinger...
She's the only one who got nominated. At least one of Crowe,Pearce or Spacey should have been nominated.
She deserved it, too. Her delivery was also great. True. Not quite Spacey level. But she didn't run against Spacey, did she.
Ed's confessional moment brought out the regret in Jack, who had lost sight of his purpose as a cop years ago.
"Why don't you do me a real favor and leave me alone" 😂
The Rational Male
As other comments have pointed out, the 12 seconds since 1:33 deserve Kevin Spacey another academy awards.
Him not remembering broke my heart. 😟
masterful scene
People’s Loves This Guy to Kevin Spacey LOL!!!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
That’s me........😃
Wife: where did you last drop off the kids honey
me: “ I don’t remember”
Honestly, it is true I don't remember many things (95 to 98% of the total volume) exactly. I only guess and everything in my mind is superficial, blurry and hazy, sort of like I am groping for my recollection in a dark room. It was very vivid in the past. That's an honest account and I hope, you trust me. Thanks.
I’m trying to read the comments and find an answer but can’t, what does he mean when he says I can’t remember and what’s the importance behind it?
It holds 2-fold meaning to me. Exley's confession of why he became a cop I think led Jack to the same realization of why he himself became a cop, and just like Exley, his path became blurred and went after glory, fame, and money. So his "i don't know" here means both his unwillingness to express that weakness and indication that his own path strayed from original purpose.
Great movie
Yeah horrible scene when jack is murdered by captain dudley...
Don't start tryin' to do the right thing, boy-o. You haven't the practice.
His last breath was his brightest. Dudley told him earlier: I doubt you ever taken a stupid breath.
He never did.
Incredible acting by both men. So honest and powerful. Too bad Spacey is such a creep.
Awesome fkn movie
Guy pierce would have made christian bale look like randy quaid as patrick Bateman. Check out how sophisticated Guy pierce looks
Agree. Guy Pearce is so incredibly handsome.
Kevin is a terrible man...who steals every scene hes in
"What..."
Jack still butthurt Exley rolled on him.
This is where Spacey started to look middle aged.
So many good movies now ruined by Kevin Spacey's presence
His acting was still amazing
I can separate the artist from the art
He is a good actor- and did a good job in this film- , nevertheless what he had done in his life...
No,.it's ruined because you let the media frenzy brainwash you.
Mind you 1. you don't really know what happened 2. You don't know what other actors are hiding (or not hiding) you only enjoy their films because the media don't make (up) stories about them.
Concentrate on what you know and not on what you just believe without proof.
The only thing we know for sure is that Spacey is a masterful actor.
And that the media will do anything for money. Hush-hush.