ESSAY ON | Anatomy of Character in L.A. Confidential
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.ค. 2024
- On the 20th Anniversary of the film's release, we honor its status as a contemporary classic by asking one simple question - how did it earn such regard? While there are several possible reasons, we explore the complex and compelling arcs of the film's three main characters. Specifically, we tackle their perspectives through the lens of sociology.
Enjoy!
All film footage is the property of Warner Brothers and Regency Enterprises, with music by the late great, Jerry Goldsmith.
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Excellent analysis of one of my favorite films. Also, to my embarrassment, this is the first time I tied in the opening conversations between Exley and Dudley -- "Would you be willing to shoot a hardened criminal in the back, in order to offset the chance that some...lawyer..." with the decision Exley makes at the end of the film, to shoot Dudley in the back.
Yes! Me too. After seeing this film so many times.
I never got that. It's quite sad that Ed does then go against his principles.
@@TequilaToothpick Is it? I think it shows that all 3 of them have learned and changed.
Wendel White (Bud) learns that he has to control his temper more and that he isn't "stupid" or "not smart enough.
Jack has learned why he became a cop and basically outsmarted the lot of them, but pays the ultimate price (yet wins in a way, since if it wasn't for him, Dudley most likely would have won and White would have killed Exley).
Exley learns that there are times when it is ok to go against what's "legal" in order to stop the Rollo Tomasi's of this world and that he can be too smart for his own good. Also pay attention to the way his glasses are shown or not shown during the film. For instance when he and Breuning(?) go after the 3 escapees (that Dudley probably allowed to escape so they can be killed), before jumping over the fence, he checks for his glasses, the same way he did when they first arrested them with Jack. Only this time, when Breuning asks him "what is it?", he replies "Nothing". There's already some change and some progress.
Great essay. I watched it twice, just as I had watched LA Confidential twice in the week it came out back in 1997. It is still my favorite movie of all time and one of my favorite novels despite the vast difference between the two. I actually lived in Hollywood back then, and knew every location used in the film. I even had a chance to meet author James Ellroy shortly after the movie came out at a book signing. He absolutely loved the film.
Apparently he didn’t like the film?
@@robtennant98what he said recently is simply contradictory to his actions since 1997. No one had pushed him to participate in the script developments or "Behind the Scenes" section that came with the movie. No one pushed him to write a complementary necrologue for Curtis Hanson when he passed away in 2016. Those just don't add up, when Ellroy states that when the director is dead, he is ready to disparage the film after 8 years of silence.
Honestly, to me Ellroy calling the movie "The Turkey of the highest form" is the biggest turkey itself, cuz there will never be another great adaptation of his books. I dunno what went wrong with him on that day.
Love the film and your analysis, too!
This is a compelling, considered and worthwhile essay with a concise narrative and clearly explicated thesis. There are a few points, however, to balance this bit of feedback. First, there is an implicit suggestion that the sociological theories here applied may encompass a comprehensive explanation for how the examined characters behave as they do in the film, and even more broadly, what motivates anyone - fictional or otherwise. Assuming, as seems likely, that you don't actually believe this to be true, if might be worth briefly framing the scope of your exploration to make clear the functional necessity of your confined presentation. (Just in case anyone either walks away thinking humanity may be explained solely via the microscope of sociology, or that you yourself might adhere to such a perspective.)
The other, and more insistent, point of criticism is your bold and rather jarringly absolutist assertion that Bud White “...gets the girl because he is the only person in the film who deserves the happiness that comes with companionship.” What? Ignoring that you probably meant to say “the only one of the three protagonists,” exactly how can you justify such a judgmental statement? All three characters put their lives on the line to serve the greater good, and all three contributed significantly to ending the evil at work. And White alone, it appears, actually murdered an unarmed man in cold blood and without due process or redress. An argument could thereby just as easily be made that among the three, he least “deserved” happiness - although I believe the entire line of reasoning to be specious and unexpectedly sophomoric at best.
This is a thought-provoking and instructive video, and I have accordingly subscribed. But may I suggest a few moments to revisit your odd condemnations...it seems off from your otherwise informed opinions. On the whole, however, great job.
p.s. I very much enjoyed your comment regarding the clear intelligence exhibited by Jack as he utters “Rolo Tomassi”. The clarity, presence of mind and necessary composure to, in your dying moments, formulate such a brilliant strategy is unforgettable.
@sfkeepay: Replying only to this part of your comment: "The other, and more insistent, point of criticism is your bold and rather jarringly absolutist assertion that Bud White “...gets the girl because he is the only person in the film who deserves the happiness that comes with companionship.” What? Ignoring that you probably meant to say “the only one of the three protagonists,” exactly how can you justify such a judgmental statement? "
I don't know for sure what was behind the original claim in the video, but by saying "Bud deserved happiness" Essays On Frame could have meant a number of things. Do people "deserve happiness" in life in general? If the answer is yes, then, Bud White was the one who was actually seeking the girl and the happiness in Lynn's arms in the first place. If people "deserve" to reach their goals in life, such as was Bud White's, then then the answer is yes. Bud was no near a perfect cop on his deeds and his morals, and they didn't give a justification to "deserve" Lynn. It had to do with something else.
Remember the scene where he was waiting outside Lynn's place, inside his car, kind of checking out for Lynn and her activities from afar when it was raining. He didn't go to meet her that night. What was he doing there and the aim of that scene? What was on his mind? At that point, the song "Wheel of fortune" had been going on for a while on the background of the movie.
Consider the lyrics (a short quote):
"Oh, wheel of fortune
Please don't pass me by
Let me know the magic of
A kiss and a sigh
I'll not dream of winning fortune or fame
While the wheel is turning, turning, turning
I'll be yearning, yearning
For love's precious flame."
When the scene in the movie finally comes to close-up of Bud's face in the car, the lyrics of the song speak of "yearning for love's precious flame". This close-ups of Bud's face and intense moments of stare are not the only one depicted in the movie, and they do have a specific meaning. I don't think this timing with the lyrics was done by accident, but was to deliver the message to the viewer in a very sophisticated way, what Bud was really after there. It could be viewed that, love (and hence as it became, Lynn) was presumably by far the most ulterior goal for Bud to reach in life (besides helping women in general). This is done while keeping in mind that the context of he movie is about the facade and reality, and the unscrupulous difference between these two.
Remembering also the intimate scenes with Bud and Lynn, where Bud seems to became a totally different person altogether, soft and tender in a way seen nowhere else in the film. Those are the only times he's seen a big smile on his face in the movie, as his sadness and endless loneliness comes off. His facade of toughness comes off altogether. (As we see later in the film, Bud seems like crying in the rain, having known that Lynn had slept with Exley).
Ed Exley on the other hand, was after and yearning for fortune and fame, especially in his career. Perhaps so was Jack Vincennes in his own ways which were different from Exley's (Vincennes reached at least one goal of his - In his final moments he was giving off information that finally exposed Dudley), but he wasn't after the girl in the first place. Exley did get the fortune and fame, in the book he did get money from his dad (who apparently didn't die in the book version of the story), and he was given the prize for his heroic acts. If that is a reason enough to "deserve" it, he deserved what he got. So while Exley might have had a moral justification to deserve his prizes and promotions, he didn't remain true to his high morals in the end (he did shot Dudley in the back, which he said in the beginning of the movie he would never do. He also did accept the deceit to the press, of having Dudley die as hero.) It could be viewed that Exley had some personal growth, but so had Bud White.
Looking it only from the point of view of story telling narrative though, Lynn was actually the one who chose Bud, and that in itself is a reason enough for Bud deserving the girl and the happiness. Bud deserved Lynn, because she chose him. Bud deserved Lynn, for her own motives and reasons stated by her: because "he can't hide the good inside of him" and all the other ways he wasn't like Exley, as she described to Exley in an earlier scene. Out of all those reasons of why Lynn chose Bud "I see Bud because he doesn't know how to disguise who he is", was perhaps the most significant one. They tore off each other's facades. They did see each others as who they truly were underneath, not the facades they presented to the outer world. Lynn saw the good inside of Bud's exterior toughness and harshness.
Yes, Lynn could have chosen Ed for numerous reasons, but she didn't. That choice she clearly states in the ending of the movie, "some men get the world, others get ex-hooker and a trip to Arizona". She presents these options like two dichotomies, that a man cannot get both. She clearly states that these two options are not on a par to her, and her choice is clear.
So, as Lynn said to Bud earlier in the movie: "you have a thing for helping women", Bud now finally gets a woman to protect for his own, albeit perhaps not in a form of a cop no longer, but in his personal life. After all, he was seriously injured as Bud almost gave his life in protecting Exley when Dudley shot him. Bud did have some heroic acts as well, other than protecting women. If I remember correctly, he was given recognition of it in the book version. Unable to speak because having shot in the jaw, the two just shake hands in the end. They accept the outcome and with that, they depart each other.
For all these reasons, Bud deserved to have Lynn and the happiness.
Great essay on one of my all-time favorite films 👍
this is one of the best analyses of this film on youtube and it's done by a damn 12 year old. impressive
I love it! :D It's thrilling to see you breaking down some of my favorite films!! Standing by to see more~
Brilliant movie analysis. I’ve seen quite a few, and yours was a cut above.
Brilliant analysis of a brilliant film. Thank you for taking the time to share a well articulated and educated opinion on a classic film
I dont know how old you're but the job you did on this is spectacular. Keep it up, loved every minute of the break down plus this has been one of my favorite films since I was 15.
Great stuff, hopefully many more essays on film analysis to come. I came here wondering about the goodbye beween Exley and White, so thank you.
This was a nice way to stop and remember LA Confidential. You explained everything in easy to understand detail. Keep up the good work, this was very informative.
This deserves more views:). I haven't found many reviews for L.A. Confidential and although this is not a review per se, it seems to come closer.
I think this movie, biased or not, is one of the best or even THE best movie ever made. I can't find any flaw in it. The soundtrack, the acting, the amazing attention to detail, down to ever knick-knack or item in the background...it must have been super hard to get all those outfits, cars and other items to even create this film. It's all the more sad that we'll probably never be blessed with such films again, because this was a smart film and those aren't popular anymore. Even those that have some success in recent years, such as Inception, Shutter Island, Ex Machina are not on the same level or were kind of a lucky accident (like Inception that was only made cause they wanted him to do Batman). Maybe people like us who admire and appreciate the likes of L.A. Confidential, Heat, American Beauty or other story- and character-heavy films ought to crowd-fund directors like David Lynch with unlimited funds to just be "creative". I mean, just look at the amazing work this man did with Twin Peaks: The Return. To compare it, imagine someone doing the (in my opinion) highly overrated Breaking Bad 25 years later with important characters having died in real life. I don't think it would work. Great Analysis :)!
Very well done. Succinct, clear and thorough. You managed to vet, and then distill, a great deal of information into a ten-minute piece. I look forward to more. All the best to you.
Thank you for the kind words! I'm hoping to produce another essay in the coming weeks.
This episode was really great. Loved your POV. Very well articulated too
great narration and a great narrative voice
Job very well done, earned a thumbs up.
I truly enjoyed this. Excellent work.
I know I am very late on the comments and not entirely sure if this channel is still active but this video essay was fantastic. I think focusing it on the characters, their evolution and cooperation is brilliant. I love how you compared it to 'Jaws' and how upon watching this video, there is even more to appreciate about the movie. I wish there were more essays to watch!
Thank you for the kind feedback! I'm hoping to release new content this year. Stay tuned!
@@EssaysonFrame That's great news, I will!
@EssaysonFrame need new content. "Come back!" - Rose, Titanic
Great movie and great analysis
This movie was robbed of an Oscar by Titanic. LA Conf should have won that year
Amazing video on a film that deserves more videos made on it.
Definitely up there in best movies, my personal second favorite.
What a cool analysis ! Please do more of them. Who is the intelligent narrator lady ??
Very enjoyable analysis
Thank you this is great! came in very handy
Brilliant analysis!
Great essay! Wish you did not stop posting!
Back in the 90's we used to go to movies just to waste time.... back when that was possible. Throw away bad movies were perfect for that. Aaaaannnd then "LA Confidential" happens. Good stuff here, Sub'd.
Liked the analysis! Keep it up, if the quality of content of every video is like this one, in no time you'll be as big as channel criswell or nerdwriter!
Pedro Buson that is incredibly kind of you - nerdwriter is one of my favorite channels.
Damn good movie! Thanks for posting.
great job, boy-o!
Well done!
Brilliant! Thank you 🙏
very good analysis, inspirational !
I agree with you.
Pretty Good. Can you provide an example of a film with 4 lead characters that's NOT an ensemble film like "Love Actually". Hope to see more of your good work. Keep it up
Great video. Keep up the good work 😊
This is so👏well👏done👏
Brilliant dissertation. I would have like you to discuss the issue of power in regard to the oppression of women, and race (Mexicans and Afro-Americans)
This was excellent reviee
Well done
Do more!
How well was Russell Crowe known as an actor when LA Confidential was released. I don't even remember why I watched this movie in the theaters.
Russell Crowe and Guy Pearce were relatively unknown in Hollywood when this film released. They both built their careers in Australia.
@@EricA-xd9fn I do remember him playing in some movie with Denzel prior to this. I looked it up. Virtuosity. I watched than on the theater too. I guess I watched alot of movies in the 90s. I haven't stepped into a theater since Covid lockdowns.
My all time favourite movie
I think this is good, the digression to Jaws is the weakest element.
I am trying to read the original book also. Truly great work, too difficult to follow somebody who is not an American and not familiar with the American colloquials.
brilliant
Good job
Actually.......excellent job
But why did Kim Basinger sleep with Guy Pearce thinking it would be helpful to Russel Crowe? I also missed any acknowledgment from Pearce or Crowe as to what Pearce did to Crowe by sleeping basinger
Have you read the book? Would you do a comparison of the two?
I would love it if you did a comparison of the book and the film.
Great review man from an awesome movie. I just subbed. I couldn't make out what this story was about, but the characters were so interesting to still stay tuned. You know I just recently made a review of this movie. I don't know if you would be interested to check it out and see what you think? See ya.
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Great! How about doing two other "modern classics", Unforgiven and Shawshank Redemption?
If they do a remake of this, (hope they don’t) my cast would be.
Ed Exley : Jake Gyllenhaal
Bud White : Mark Whalberg
Jack Vincenze : RDJ
Why make a remake of a movie that is perfect?
Florian Laur I don’t want a remake. But I would watch it
HUSH HUSH
Nice editing. Didn’t expect a kid narrating
Hush, Hush
Rolo Tomassi
Conflict Theory - a simplistic theory that allows mendacities to think they understand a complex world.