LA CONFIDENTIAL tends to be more highly regarded as the classier Ellroy adaptation but in doing so fails to capture the sleazier aspects of his prose that COP nails so beautifully. It isn't afraid to be politically incorrect all over the place, which makes James Woods casting spot on as he, likewise isn't interested in playing nice but being true to the material.
I love all the minutia to his day-to-day cop work, like how he conducts himself in the office, and how he handles a crime scene. Great attention to detail.
There are also fantastic little bits of business, like the hilarious scene where Woods' character tells his little girl a "bedtime" story.
BEST SELLER is another gem of a film and part of a great run for Woods in the '80s. He has a fantastic, tension-filled relationship with Brian Dennehy and the frisson between their two characters is a huge appeal of that film.
Thank you, Andrew, for reminding us of these wonderful films. Ellroy is always a hard one to film, but Cop did do Hopkins well. That ending, though, does betray the studio's intention to channel Dirty Harry, now that you mention it. Best Seller was brilliant. Saw it as part of a double bill at the local drive in with Rambo 3! Cop I first made acquaintances with via video. Ah, the 80's. A great time for underground culture.
Thanks for the recommend. Read the book, never knew there was a movie. And with James Wood no less. Ah, that pock-marked face, and those eyes - slippery, venal, ready to pounce. Even when he's the good guy ( I can only think of Salvador) he's dodgy as hell.
Awesome film. Woods is fantastic in Salvador, too.
LA CONFIDENTIAL tends to be more highly regarded as the classier Ellroy adaptation but in doing so fails to capture the sleazier aspects of his prose that COP nails so beautifully. It isn't afraid to be politically incorrect all over the place, which makes James Woods casting spot on as he, likewise isn't interested in playing nice but being true to the material.
I love all the minutia to his day-to-day cop work, like how he conducts himself in the office, and how he handles a crime scene. Great attention to detail.
There are also fantastic little bits of business, like the hilarious scene where Woods' character tells his little girl a "bedtime" story.
BEST SELLER is another gem of a film and part of a great run for Woods in the '80s. He has a fantastic, tension-filled relationship with Brian Dennehy and the frisson between their two characters is a huge appeal of that film.
I think Best Seller is brilliant and yeah, underrated. I don't care what Wood's politics are. Even in his small role in Casino he is unforgettable.
Hard agree, Sean.
Thank you, Andrew, for reminding us of these wonderful films. Ellroy is always a hard one to film, but Cop did do Hopkins well. That ending, though, does betray the studio's intention to channel Dirty Harry, now that you mention it. Best Seller was brilliant. Saw it as part of a double bill at the local drive in with Rambo 3! Cop I first made acquaintances with via video. Ah, the 80's. A great time for underground culture.
Thanks for the recommend. Read the book, never knew there was a movie. And with James Wood no less. Ah, that pock-marked face, and those eyes - slippery, venal, ready to pounce. Even when he's the good guy ( I can only think of Salvador) he's dodgy as hell.