Thursday, September 25, 2014

My Favorite Scene: L.A. Confidential

“Rollo Tomassi.”

It’s a name that echoes throughout Curtis Hanson’s masterful modern noir, L.A. Confidential.  It’s a name that changes minds, reveals guilt, and displays shame. But, of course, the beauty of the name (and what a fine name it is) is that, technically, “Rollo Tomassi” means nothing. Who he represents is real, a purse snatcher who shot and killed Detective Lieutenant Edmund Exley’s father some years ago, but the name itself was made up by Exley, just to “give him some character.”

The real Rollo Tomassi was never caught, and the vengeance Exley felt because of this is what motivated him to become a cop. Now, if you’ve seen L.A. Confidential, you know that “Rollo Tomassi” exists within the film’s world in a very significant way. But the scene that most grabs me concerning this elusive figment is the moment we first hear about him.

Ed Exley (Guy Pearce), barges into the office of Det. Seg. Jack Vincennes (Kevin Spacey) and tells Vincennes that he needs his help. Vincennes, embittered that he recently (though, unknowingly) helped a young, innocent actor get murdered, looks at Exley and says, “Why don’t you do me a real favor and leave me alone?”

Think about this line. Observe Spacey’s delivery, then think about it. A lot of awful shit happens in L.A. Confidential, but that line, and Spacey’s semi-pissed delivery of it, is easily the harshest thing Vincennes does in the movie. It breaks down Vincennes’ persona as the cheerful, amiable Hollywood Cop that he’s tried so hard to maintain. We notice it, and it would appear Exley does as well. Exley presses Vincennes further, asking if he thinks the infamous Night Owl case was really solved. Vincennes toys with Exley, taking his precious time to utter the word, “What,” and, moments later, playfully, mockingly holding out the word “Lieutenant,” as a way to shame the power-hungry Exley.
Sensing he isn’t breaking through, Exley concedes and does something we haven’t seen him do yet: he becomes vulnerable and shares something personal about himself. He tells Vincennes about Rollo Tomassi and the effect he’s had on Exley’s life. Watch the way Pearce eases into the brief monologue, sitting on the edge of a desk, delivering this sad tale without a shred of sentiment, as if he’s been waiting his whole life to tell this story. Hanson wisely (but uncharacteristically for this type of scene) holds the monologue out in a medium shot (as opposed to a close-up, which is often preferred for “big moments” like this one). No less than five extras crowd the frame behind Pearce, but that matters little. Pearce is too electric. Too real and sincere. The framing of the scene is almost a challenge, as if Curtis is inviting us to take our eyes of Pearce, which, of course, we don’t dare do.
Exley finishes his speech by saying that he became a cop to catch the guys who thought they could get away with it. “Why’d you become a cop?” he casually asks Vincennes. And then, in what could be my single favorite moment of Spacey’s career, he lets his head slowly fall, then brings it up and locks his swollen, red eyes with Exley’s. “I don’t remember,” Spacey manages to ease out. Directly after, Vincennes springs into action, as if shaken awake from a temporary fog. Jerry Goldsmith’s perfect music blares away, and L.A. Confidential gets back to its complex plot and breakneck pace.

This is the scene that forced me to initially take notice of Guy Pearce’s talent. There’s no grandstanding or heavy breathing. No tears or pleas for forgiveness. He’s a young kid trying to do what’s right, by enlisting a guy who couldn’t otherwise give a damn. I love everything about this film. But the way it manages to hold our attention in its delicate moments (Bud White’s pillow-talk explanation as to why he detests men who beat women also comes to mind), is truly deserving of praise.


24 comments:

  1. This is one of my favorite movie scenes of all time. Glad to see such a great analysis for such a great piece of filmmaking. Phenomenal work here.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks buddy! This scene has always gotten to me. Absolutely love the way Pearce and Spacey play it.

      Delete
  2. Nice choice! Guy Pearce is just amazing. I always enjoy watching him.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! Ah, he's the best. One of my all-time favorites!

      Delete
  3. Great pick! Stupendous analysis, I haven't seen L.A. Confidential in quite a while, I must watch it soon! Guy Pearce, what an actor. So, so good.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Aditya! So happy you like this scene, it's a real doozy. Pearce is just that good, isn't he?

      Delete
    2. Yes, he is incredible in everything :) By the way, I managed to watch Footloose. I didn't expect to like it as much as I did, it's just so damn enjoyable!!

      Delete
    3. Awesome! Yeah, not a great film or anything, but a damn fun one. Bacon is such a goof in it! Fuckin' gymnastics haha.

      Delete
  4. It's been a long time since I've seen that film as I need to revisit it. It's such a fucking good film.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hell yeah man. Never a bad time to revisit this one. A real classic.

      Delete
  5. Excellent post. I've only seen this movie once and it was just as I was starting to become me a film buff. It's time for a rewatch.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks man. Yeah, there is never a bad time to rewatch this film, especially if you're a fan of the craft of cinema. It is a masterclass in filmmaking.

      Delete
  6. Ha, my favourite moment in this film also revolves around "Rolo Tomassi," but I'm more of a fan of Pearce's wordless, impossibly subtle but incredibly telling reaction to Cromwell repeating the name. That's some goddamn acting right there. (Though you make a great case for your scene!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh man, I was this close to choosing that scene as well. Really, it's those three (well, four, technically) times Rolo is mentioned that I love. But Pearce's face when Cromwell asks him about Rolo... my god, genius.

      Delete
  7. Oh my, I LOVE LOVE this film and Rolo Tomassi is a name one could easily forget. This is such a spectacular scene. I read an interview w/ James Ellroy and he said he's very impressed w/ Guy Pearce, more than Russell Crowe actually who got more buzz for his performance. Nice job Alex!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Ruth! I didn't read that Ellroy interview but I LOVE that he said that about Pearce. He definitely gives my favorite performance in the film. It's all nuance and subtlety.

      Delete
  8. Alex, I feel like there are so many great scenes that you could pick for this one (the interrogation of the three suspects, the final shootout, etc), but you chose one of the best. Having read the book, I'm amazed that they were able to cut down the book so much yet retain the feel of it. It isn't an easy book to adapt.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Really, damn near every scene in this film is ace. That interrogation and that thrilling final shootout are incredible. And I'm reminded yet again that I must read this book. I've heard how intricate it is, and I would love to dive deeper into this world.

      Delete
  9. I'll have to rewatch the particular scene you refer to! Vincennes is maybe the most interesting character in the movie.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He's such a sly fox, Vincennes. Never a bad to time to rewatch this film, my friend. So good.

      Delete
  10. Great choice! The film is practically flawless, and it's one of my favorites. Pearce and Spacey nail that scene, no doubt.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Nine years ago and here I am replying to your exceptional analysis of one of my all-time favorite films. It's worth every cookie making this comment will plant on my device. So happy to find the site. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much for this comment! I'm embarrassed that it's taken me this long to respond, but I really do appreciate it!

      Delete