Film Noir in L.A. Confidential

The genre of Film Noir is different from many other styles of filmmaking at least because those involved in the creation of this genre in the United States during 1940s and 1950s were not yet aware that they were actually creating a distinctive kind of film . And while classic films of that time bear some unique qualities , even today the genre of Film Noir is alive . In this regard , one of the films that can be categorized as bearing elements of this genre is L .A . Confidential ' directed by Curtis Hanson . This film

combines elements of plot reinforced by various film techniques , such as for example lighting , and realistic locations to recreate Los Angeles of 1950s . One of the distinguishing qualities of Film Noir as such is setting that usually is centered on imperfect and desperate heroes who oppose a harsh world around them . Not surprisingly crime , often a murder , is normally involved in film noirs , and they often feature detectives , good and bad policemen , femmes fatale , and other similar characters . In this connection , L .A . Confidential contains elements of film noir as it has its own seemingly good cop (Ed Exley who perceives the world in terms of right and wrong ) and a bad cop (Bud White who is ready for everything as long as it would procure desirable ends . However , as during the course of the film both of these cops manifest something good and negative in them , this distinction is somewhat blurred . There is also a kind of a femme fatale in the film in the person of Lynn Bracken , for whom both Exley and White long for . And it is a murder case that unites them and brings into the focus interesting characters supporting the storyline and similar to those from the movies of the 1940s , like a neat attorney Ellis Lowe who has problems with ethics , or Captain Dudley Smith who is keeping an eye on Exley , White , and another detective Jack Vincennes , all of whom investigate the same crime . Still , L .A . Confidential ' is also different from traditional Films Noir as the latter usually have cheerless endings , while L .A . Confidential ' can be construed as not only advancing negative view of the LAPD , but also as showing that there are people who really care about justice , even if it would sometimes require betrayal of the truth

Sources

Hanson , Curtis . L .A . Confidential , Warner Home Video , 1997

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