About

Three detectives in the corrupt and brutal L.A. police force of the 1950s use differing methods to uncover a conspiracy behind the shotgun slayings of the patrons at an all-night diner.

8.3
8,304
Directed by

Curtis Hanson

Written by

Brian Helgeland (Screenplay)
Curtis Hanson (Screenplay)
James Ellroy (Novel)
Gary Damian Thomas (Storyboard)

Runtime

138 minutes

Country

United States of America

Language

English

Tagline

Everything is suspect... Everyone is for sale... And nothing is what it seems.

Cast

Keywords

detective morgue corruption corpse 1950s domestic violence shotgun call girl neo-noir good cop bad cop district attorney movie star f word bandage switchblade falsifying

Photos

Lists

#107 on IMDb top 250 IMDb

#719 on 1,000 greatest films They Shoot Pictures, Don't They?

#84 on Empire's 500 Greatest Movies Of All Time Empire

1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die Steven Jay Schneider

Awards

Oscar for Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published Curtis Hanson Brian Helgeland

Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting Role Kim Basinger

Oscar nomination for Best Cinematography Dante Spinotti

Oscar nomination for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration Jeannine Oppewall Jay Hart