Following a brutal attack on people at a restaurant, "Exley" (Guy Pearce) advises his superiors that the LAPD needs to address the widespread corruption within its ranks. As a result, he receives a promotion from "Capt. Smith" (James Cornwall) and begins attempting to enforce legal principles rather than seeking retribution—a tactic exemplified by "White" (Russell Crowe), or the more dishonest practices of "Vincennes" (Kevin Spacey). Predictably, this new, seemingly virtuous strategy isn't well-received, but gradually "Exley" starts making progress in uncovering organized crime and realizing how deeply involved the police are in concealing offenses ranging from financial crimes to killings. He also suspects that someone is manipulating him, so he’ll need to develop a connection with one of his colleagues if he wants to survive! Each character has opportunities to shine, which allows us to encounter the unscrupulous tabloid publisher "Hudgens" (played with energy by Danny DeVito) and the refined call-girl "Lynn" (Kim Basinger), who frequently channels Veronica Lake. I felt that the plot twists became apparent fairly quickly, so it lessened the suspense a bit. Nevertheless, it’s one of Crowe's more believable performances, and Pearce demonstrates his ability to portray tough and intense roles effectively. I would have appreciated seeing more of Basinger’s fascinating character just to provide some respite from the story's intensity, but overall, it's a well-made adaptation of James Ellroy's stark novel, presented by Curtis Hanson, and it moves at a brisk pace.

Source on TMDB