1990’s L.A. Confidential novel by James Ellroy was adapted from a few real-life incidents like gang wars, mobs controlling the city, and a volcano of rackets that came out after Micky Cohen, the mob boss, was jailed.
Along with Heat, the 50s set adopted the display in the city of Los Angeles in its stylish, period piece and was filmed mostly in real locations in the city.
Other than numerous locations, we have a strong plot and multiple characters around whom the plot revolves. Three LAPD short-tempered officers, bullheaded Bud White, played by Russell Crowe, who is furious when it comes to battered women.
Another straight rookie officer, Ed Exley, played by Guy Pearce, is trying to live up to his father’s expectations and is also a detective, but it is not as straightforward as it looks. Lastly, fame-loving Jack Vincennes, played by Kevin Spacey.
The Filming Locations
Los Angeles City Hall is used as LAPD headquarters. The pyramid-topped high-rise from where the police operate is 200 North Spring Street Downtown.
The movie doesn’t use the interior of City Hall. The police station is a mix of three separate locations.
The corridors and the offices are the unused sides of Pacific Electric Building, Downtown LA. The humungous brick scraper has been empty since 1989. The owners of the building moved out. Now, it is developed as a luxury apartment.
Crossroads of the World
On Sunset Boulevard, The Crossword of the World is one of the most iconic landmarks, and because of that, it was bound to get added to the movie. It was built in 1936 and was designed by Robert Derrah.
It is an open mall that showcases the iconic building surrounded by a village of cottages. Furthermore, it was America’s first outdoor shopping mall.
Boardner’s
Boardner, which has been a classic Hollywood talk about, was opened back in 1927, and since then, it has managed to adapt and survive many changing themes of the city.
The Great Depression and Cocaine fuelled boom came and gone, but this nightclub has held its position, and since then, it remains a go-to for Hollywood.
It has a period art style, and it is the reason why it has been selected by the producers. This is the spot where Captain Smith returns the gun and badge to Bud.
Lovell Health House
Lovell Health House is one of the most iconic buildings on this list, and it has been an icon for more than 100 years. There’s even a hill House built in a modern international theme with a great interior.
It was built by Richard Neuta in 1929. This was the spot of Pierce’s house in the movie. It was very different from the description of the book. Hanson wanted to give the house a modern design and taste to the building.
Frolic Room
Frolic Room is another important part of nightlife in L.A. It is still standing since then. It was shown back then in the movie, and it was again shown in 2006’s Brian De Palma, which was also an adoption of The Black Dahlia by James Ellroy.
It has been an ideal essence to showcase the authenticity of time. Frolic Room has been in the culture of L.A., and this has been a meeting place for Boulevard’s characters.
Los Angeles City Hall
Los Angeles has been undeniably the most iconic building in California and Los Angeles. The white color of the building conveys hope to the citizens. This was the place where Lynn and Bus decided to leave the city at the end of the movie.
Visually, the movie looks top-notch. The dresses and the photography are stylish, representing the strong status of the movie.
The movie also has rich characters, and their story develops slowly as the plot moves forward. It is complex and detailed, and the viewers will love it.
The characters feel real and do not fall into the same old cliché category. All in all, it is a good movie for the fans of cult movies involving gangsters, cops, and mob bosses.
