JohnDoe
Bryn
Brenton
To Live and Die In LA (1985) - Trailer Included
A Counterfeit System
DVD Cover
Cinematography:Robby Muller
Starring:William Petersen, Willem DaFoe, John Tuturro, Dean Stockwell, Robert Downey, Debra Feuer, Darlanne Fluegel, Jane Leeves, John Pankow
"Style is something that's extremely important, but it must grow naturally out of who and what you are and what the material calls for. It cannot be superimposed." - William Friedkin
Today it was announced that Writer/Director William Friedkin (The Exorcist, The French Connection, Sorcerer, Cruisin) will receive the prestigious Officer, Order of Arts and Letters (Officier de l'ordre des Arts et des Lettres), a French honour bestowed on him because of his massive influence on cinema.
To Live and Die in LA is a purposefully stylised crime thriller, quintessentially 80’s in flavour and one the filmmakers most accomplished visceral works.
Delving into the mindset and lifestyle of a US Secret Service agent, Richard Chance (William Petersen) is a daredevil in the field. Determined and fearless we meet Chance and his mentor/partner Jim Hart (Michael Greene) protecting the president from a suicide bombing terrorist.
"Death to Israel and America, and all the enemies of Islam!"- Terrorist
Successful in their assignment, Jim is also investigating a high end counterfeiter, discovered “in the wrong place at the wrong time” and murdered by the funny money dealer Rick Masters (Willem DaFoe). When Chance finds out it triggers a rampage of obsessive revenge.
"I'm gonna bag Masters, and I don't give a shit how I do it." - Chance
Making Dirty Harry Callahan look like a stickler for the rules, he manipulates and exploits everyone in his path. Breaking procedures and the law, morality dominated and defined by the single minded pursuit of the clinically skilful Masters.
"Why? Because if you don't, I'll blow your fucking heart out." - Chance
Just hang on I'm channeling Popeye Doyle
John Doe says:
Flashy and colourful, the striking red, blue and green lighting collides with the music of Wang Chung establishing a distinct artificial hyper reality. This contrasts with the gritty story, complex performances and meticulous authenticity to create a startling intensity.
Deliberately avoiding the documentary approach of The French Connection, William Friedkin captures the essence of Los Angeles by employing scorching lensing, sound design and staging to match the superficial excesses of the city of angels.
Absolutely commanding the sensory extremes, avoiding distraction the dense atmosphere defines the era, so much so that Michael Mann sued Friedkin because he saw it as plagiarism of the concept for Miami Vice.
Vivaciously researched and shot on location to accomplish a believability and truth, every frame maintains the illusion of immediacy. The attention to technical detail was so profuse that in the counterfeiting sequence experts were hired to manufacture the fake money on camera for real, breaking the law in the process.
The suspense builds with appropriately unpredictable pacing so the action footage is exciting and the violence feels sudden. The now notorious LA freeway chase against traffic, edited subjectively took six weeks to shoot and rivals the benchmark the Director set over a decade earlier.
The Chase continues
The cast is made up of largely unknowns at the time and there is a bravery in all the portrayals that makes for unblinking, improvised naturalism. Will Petersen (Manhunter, Young Guns II, The Contender) as the reckless and volatile blood hound treasury agent perfectly balances against Willem DaFoe’s (Shadow of The Vampire, Existenz, Platoon, Last temptation of Christ, Wild at Heart, Light Sleeper, Boondock Saints) introverted and methodical criminal artist.
John Tuturro (Millers Crossing, Big lebowski, Quiz Show, Clockers) was early in the game, but already carries that Peter Lorre air of peculiar duality. A raunchy surprise comes in the form of Jane Leeves (Daphne from Frasier) playing a skimpy lingerie wearing lesbian.
A tour de force about corruption of the soul, this unflinching taste of criminal dynamics has enough ambiguity to reflect the dangerous career choices it glimpses.
The DVD:
Transfer:Widescreen 1:85:1/Dolby Digital 5.1
Extras :Trailer
John Doe highly recommends the US Special Edition DVD which contains an informative Directors commentary, deleted scenes, alternate ending and a making of featurette.
Here's the trailer for To Live and Die in LA
The LA Freeway Car Chase
Horrorphile
Nice review too mister.
The two "williams" were gold in this.
And the women were hot!
And the unorthodox killing of a main character two-thirds in ... powerful.
Film & TV on DVD
Knew you grooved on this, I find something new in it every viewing.
Yeah the eroticism works in this, unlike Friedkin's shitty Jade with Caruso. It takes a gift to rob Linda Fiorenti of her sexuality.
The ending still surprises.
Horrorphile
i need to watch this again, thanks for pulling it out and bringing it back to my attention dude!
Screen Adventure
love the film too
That sleazy ending always gets me hot and bothered.
Film & TV on DVD
Much to like about this film and yes the ending gets under the skin.
Horrorphile
Film & TV on DVD