incredible scene. the power of such intensely complimentary imagery, music, and action is overwhelming. ... i've always liked the framing that wes anderson and his cinematographers use; very subtle sometimes (headless owen closing the door at scenes beginning...), exceedingly direct at other times (... transitions to staring straight into the camera, to say 'i'm going to kill myself tomorrow').


Agreed that the tension break by Dudley is wonderful. A different director could have ruined a tremendous scene with a stunt like that, but it fits the dry humor of the movie.

I'm not invoking comedy here, but Dudley's hilarious.

I'm a big Ellroy fan and having read the Quartet I found this adaptation to be lacking on several levels. It's just too simplistic and lacks many of the subplots in the book. Saying this is pointless I know but books with dense subject matter don't make good films.
But I could take issue with the casting. I have never rated James Cromwell and he's thoroughly unfrightening as Dudley Smith, a man who is truly monstrous.

Also this film has the twattish Russell Crowe in it and I can't bear him.