‘This adaptation is as deep as a tortilla’: Despite its 2 Oscars, James Ellroy doesn’t like this thriller adapted from his novel.

A brilliant adaptation of the 1990 novel of the same name by the great author James Ellroy, LA Confidential was one of the major films to come out of Hollywood in the 90s.

Written by the late Curtis Hanson and written by Brian Helgeland, this dark and sticky thriller where crooked, corrupt cops, mobsters, prostitutes, petty informants and vicious journalists meet in the city of fallen angels is delivered in unison by a fabulous cast. : Kevin Spacey, James Cromwell, Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, Kim Basinger, David Strathairn, or even Danny DeVito, to name a few. The film also won two Oscars, including Best Supporting Actress for Basinger.

Released in 1997, it grossed just over $126 million at the worldwide box office. In France, unfortunately, it was not a triumph in the theaters: less than 590,000 spectators… a pure injustice, which fortunately time took care of correcting: LA Confidential It remains to this day the best adaptation of James Ellroy’s world.

“Books are kings, movies are gossip”

However, the film hardly finds favor in the eyes of the author, who, generally speaking, not only dislikes its adaptations, but is not a fan of cinema either. In the midst of a promotional tour for his latest work in France, Enchantedevoking the Hollywood world of the 60s, James Ellroy spoke about LA Confidential, And the presentation of the film was held in Pau this weekend.

“I don’t like this movie, but it helped me pay for my second divorce” she shouted before continuing “Don’t forget, books are king, movies are slime, which allows us to give a second market to books.”

Ellroy is not his first attempt. already in 2019, at a literary festival held in WalesHe did not mince words about the film. This adaptation “It’s as deep as a tortilla. If you look at the action in the film, it doesn’t make any dramatic sense. I don’t care how many awards it’s won…I don’t like most of the performances.”

Although he still admitted that Hanson’s film remained the best adaptation of his literary work. Sent a message for Brian De Palma’s Black Dahlia adaptation…