Los Angeles. City of Angels. In the film, Curtis Hanson, it has little in common with the heavenly creatures, is more like a vestibule of hell. Prostitutes, corrupt politicians, vendibly cops, gangsters ready for anything. Here are the people who lived in a place that seems to be a paradise on earth.
And it all begins on Christmas Day 1952. Then a roads of three policemen and one luxury prostitutes are crossing. Buzz White, a brutal defender of beaten women, meets the woman of his life - Lynn Bracken. Jack Vincennes, a cop working with the editor of tabloid, discovers a mysterious business card with a lily. Ed Exley, the ambitious and bureaucratic, receives a lifetime opportunity, which he uses. That day comes to beating by police a few Mexicans. Exley, who is the witness of this incident, doesn’t hesitate to report on colleagues. Even proposes a way to punish them. In this way, gaining desired promotion to detective, he also becoming the object of hatred from his colleagues. Those who hated him the most is White, because of Exley's confession, his partner was discharged from the service.
Few days later the cop is murdered. Seemingly simple matter begins to discover his second bottom, leading police to the world, about which they had no idea.

Curtis Hanson's film is a superbly executed thriller, one of its strongest points is cast. It's the characters give this film an extraordinary atmosphere and realism. Bud White is a brutal, whose main task is to "work on the suspects." Extremely sensitive to domestic violence do not hesitate to kill a defenseless man for raping a young girl . However, betrayed and hurt, he will hit his beloved woman.
Jack Vincennes, a cop living in light of Hollywood. Advisor in the popular series, is working with the tabloids, it seems that for the money and fame is ready for anything. But even he has limits not to exceed. Rejects the money in an attempt to save a young boy, but for the aid will be too late, and he will die trying to do right thing.
But my favorite character in this film is Lynn Bracken, masterfully played by Kim Basinger. One of the many patterns that appear in films - a young girl arrives in Los Angeles to be a famous actress, who ends up as a prostitute.And the thought that thanks to her guardian she may "play" doesn't bring relief. She knows that she is young, that she earns with her body. She has only one dream - return one day to the home town and there open a clothing store. She does not know why she chosen Bud, perhaps because he saw in her Lynn, not Veronica. And though she will hurt him, and he will beat her, she will remain at his side. With new girl's hairstyle and dress go out to Arizona, remembering who she was here. I think it will always remain in her bitter thought of "ex-hooker."
These are characters, not only mentioned by me are true, because they are shown in that way. Can not be clearly defined - good or bad. White of brute changes in a sensitive lover when he is with Lynn, Vincennes rejects money by choosing the right. Their complex characters lend the film features an unusual climate and probability.
An additional advantage of the movie is ideally placed climate of the 50s The director took care of every detail, making the viewer can feel as though he walked the streets with the characters of the film.

This film is excellently executed thriller that might duplicate the familiar patterns, but it does so in a masterly way. An interesting and captivating story, unconventional characters, well-chosen music. It is a film to which I return often to see the smile on Jack's face shortly before his death, when he knows that his death will be the key to solving the mystery.To be with Bud in the pouring rain, and with him feel the pain, seeing the pictures Lynn with another man. To accompanied Ed when he get rid of illusions about the rule of law in the police.
It is simply one of my beloved movies ...