Based on a novel by James Ellroy and named after an actual 1950’s magazine which focused on celebrity scandal, “L.A. Confidential” (1997) is a movie set in early 1950’s Los Angeles. It is about three police officers investigating a horrific mass murder shooting at the Nite Owl coffee shop. This shooting draws the officers into a bigger scandal about police and political corruption, drug-trafficking, pornography and prostitution, racial prejudice, and check book journalism.

Three officers (Sergeant Ed Exley (Guy Pearce), Det. Bud White (Russell Crowe), and Sergeant Jack Vincennes (Kevin Spacey) who are the focus of the movie deal with the case in particular ways that reflect their personalities and values, and which bring them into conflict with one another. Here, they must deal with their real enemy; and tragic consequences will result. The plot is convoluted and layered. Viewed from different angles, it says different things about the world these men (police officers) live and work in.

While working the murder case, Exley, White, and Vincennes learn a great deal about themselves and one another. They rise beyond their differences, dislike of one another, and their separate police jurisdictions to combat the real and harsh evil.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org