Reviews (113)

Still no DVD for one of the greatest crime movies in history
This is Friedkin's masterpiece and one of the greatest crime movies of all time, still horribly underrated since its box-office (half-)failure in 1985. It's even more underrated than the (good) novel it's based upon, written by Gerald Petievich, a former FBI special agent. And it's so underrated that there's still no DVD of this film released, despite its high success in VHS. Frankly, I don't understand...

Everything is surprising, everything is amazing in this movie: the first roles played by unknown - but far from bad - actors, the dark atmosphere of L.A., described as a decadent, upside down city, as fake as Masters' counterfeited bills, the haunting soundtrack composed by the Wang Chung band - hear 'City of the Angels', 'Dance all Days' and 'Wait' -, a strong editing by Bud Smith, a great photo by Robby "Paris, Texas", "Ghost Dog" Muller and of course a superb directing, despite the low budget.

As underrated as the movie, William Petersen, in his first leading role (four years after an appearance in Michael Mann's first movie, "Thief"), is perfect as a 'kamikaze' cop, who breaks the law to revenge Jim Hart, his master, partner and friend. His confrontation with great Willem Dafoe, as the charismatic, cool, pervert gangster, is the most interesting aspect of the movie. After "To Live and Die in L.A.", Petersen played Will Graham, the very first 'profiler' in movie history (created by Thomas Harris in his cult novel, "Red Dragon"), facing Hannibal 'The Cannibal' Lecter in Michael Mann's "Manhunter". And after that - and despite his starring status in blockbuster series 'CSI' -, nothing, not one single main part in movies... Can this be explainable? The car chase (the one of the 20th century!) is perfectly shot and edited, with plenty of malice, easily beating the ones in "Bullitt" and "The French Connection". But the most surprising film is that final sequence, showing the main character shot in the face... a unique plan in history.

This is a masterpiece that frankly deserves a DVD release, more than all the zero movies released every year. I got it in VHS and I've been waiting for many years now. But we have to say that William Friedkin doesn't need such a release: the DVD of his "Exorcist", still among the top list about thirty years after the film came out in theaters, seems largely enough...

Such a shame. All we can do is 'Wait', as the Wang Chung band singer says in the end...

It is about time!!! GREAT MOVIE
Richard Chance ( William Petersen), is a member of the Secret Service who loves to live on the edge, and play by his own rules. Eric Masters ( Willem Dafoe) is a master at creating counterfiet cash, and is at the top of the agency's most wanted list for killing Chance's long time partner. Now Chance is willing to do whatever it takes to take Masters down, and the line between cop and criminal is starting to run thin. Both Chance and Masters waver on both sides of the law, as they take us on a cat and mouse chase through the streets of L.A. that is extremely suspenseful and never lets up!

"To Live and Die in L.A.", has to be one of the most suspenseful and action packed crime films that I have ever seen. Director William Friedkin is best known for the films "French Connection" and "The Exorcist". However, this has to be his best film. This is the first crime film that I have ever seen, that deals solely with the Secret Service, and NOT the FBI, CIA, or the police. That alone, makes it original. Not to mention the fact, that this is the only crime film, where the hero of the story has traits of a villan and is vulnerable. Some of Petersen's actions are actually questionable. William Petersen is an outstanding actor , and I have enjoyed all of his films. Secret Serive Agent Richard Chance, is one of his best characters by far because he loves to live on the edge, and plays by his own rules. Willem Dafoe is amazing in everything he does, and Eric Masters is one of his best roles. Masters is the story's villan, who is cold, calculating, highly intelligent, charming, and extremely ruthless! You don't know whether to like the guy, or hate the guy. John Turturo and Dean Stockwell are also both outstanding in their roles. This film also has one of the most surprising and disturbing endings that I have ever seen. The soundtrack is also amazing. It is basically a Wang Chung's Greatest Hits CD. Wang Chung is one of the best 80's groups of all time. Every song used is perfect, and really drives each scene.

In my opinion, it will be extremely difficult to find a crime film better than this one. Everything about it is perfect. The story is EXTREMELY original, the acting is phenomenal, the overall suspense will keep you on the edge of your seat, and the soundtrack is amazing. All I can say, is that it about time that this film was released on DVD. An absolute must buy!!

Living And Dying Again
Director William Friedkin, the man who brought us The French Connection and The Exorcist, fell into a bit of a slump after those box office successes. To Live And Die In L.A. was the shot in the arm he needed. And while the movie is not perfect, it's still very good, and worth your time.

When a notorious, highly sophisticated counterfeiter murders his partner, Secret Service agent Richard Chance (William Petersen) launches a furious vendetta to capture the man responsible. But master counterfeiter Rick Masters (Willem Dafoe) is always just one step ahead of Chance. Clashing with one bureaucratic road block after another, Chance is forced to break the rules in order to obtain enough cash for a sting operation, in the hope of bringing Masters down. The risks he takes soon spiral out of control though, leading to a wave of violence with moral reprecussions, taking Chance down to a morally ambiguous road from which there may be no return.

One of the things that makes To Live And Die In L.A. work is the fact that the hero isn't exactly a saint. In fact, he can be as "dastardly", as the villian of the film, doing things that are just as awful. Petersen goes to those darker places and gives a great perfomance. Based on Gerald Petievich's novel, the script, written by Friedkin and Petievich, allows for plenty of drama and action. As director and the "father" of the modern car chase, Friedkin almost tops the one he crafted for the aforementioned film, The French Connection...Almost.

For its DVD debut, MGM has put together a nice special edition, complete with some fine extras. The talky audio commentary from Friedkin is a good...but I wonder if it wouldn't have turned out better if Petersen sat in for it as well? The 30 minute documentary,"Counterfeit World: The Making of To Live and Die in L.A." is a nice retropective--some info from the commentary is repeated here though. There's also a deleted scene and the very controversial alternate ending, that caused a stir at the time in '85, for all to see in a featurette. A photo gallery and the theatrical trailer top off the bonus material.

As I said at the outset, To Live And Die In L.A., is well worth a look, for both fans and newcomers alike.

DVD Edition leaves out too much of the original! Beware!
Having seen the movie To Live And Die In L.A. many times on VHS, I was very anxious to own a copy on DVD. Clearly the picture and sound quality have been improved.

However, what I did not expect was for the studio to cut out so many important and pivotal scenes that are essential to develop the story and its characters.

They have BUTCHERED this film when they re-produced it on DVD, and I feel like I have been ripped-off.

I sincerely hope the producer and distributors of this DVD are notified of this gross error in judgement and re-edit the film to include the key scenes that were omitted.

It is truely a shame that they have ruined such a terrific movie classic!

YAY
I actually bought my dvd back in January, and it was a case of me walking by telling my friends about this movie (which they had never heard of) and lo and behold, there it was!!! I saw this movie probably a year after it came out and was VERY EXCITED to see it finally released on DVD (i could never find the VHS version anywhere anymore).
This has got to be one of my favorite movies of all time ( i have been a William Petersen fan since this movie and Manhunter) and the soundtrack score just adds to it! I do plan on ordering the soundtrack very soon! This is one of those movies that if you have seen it, you have a great appreciation for it. Too bad it didn't get the respect it deserved for it's time, but for those who do remember it and love it, continue to enjoy it!! I know I will! ... Read more

Reviews (16)

He Gets By With A Little Help From His Friends
In an effort to support Landis in his legal tribulations, a glittering array of Hollywood heavyweight directors and actors, with a rock star thrown in, toil as bit players and extras to make a manic movie with ultra-dry wit and tongue-in-cheek dialogue. Goldblum and Pfeiffer play their roles a little subdued compared to what is going on around them. It all makes for a well-constructed comedy that became an instant cult favorite. The more times the viewer sees it the more nuances and cameos jump out. Highly recommended!

Good plot, but missing something. . .
I rented this movie for the sole reason that David Bowie is in it. His performance was wonderful, yet extremely brief. Therefore I was highly disapointed. Granted, the movie wasn't too bad, Pfiefer and Goldblum are both wonderful, but Bowie was gyped. He is an amazing actor and should have had a bigger part, or at lease more time on screen. I suggest this movie for the sole reason of seeing his 2 small scenes.

enjoyable film
This is a chase movie, a kind of film-noir without the black and white. Here the ordinary man is Jeff Goldblum, a guy so so unhappy with his mundane job and cheating wife that he spends his nights driving the LA streets instead of sleeping. One night he finds himself in the wrong place at the right time. He interrupts the murder of a beautiful and mysterious Michelle Pfeifer and very shortly he finds himself her unwilling accomplice as both evade her ruthless pursuers. She warns him right up front that she is "one of the bad guys", but he's hooked. The chase takes them to all of the "mink-lined sewers" of after dark LA and lets them encounter quirky and sometimes violent characters. This movie plays like a mix of dark comedy and thriller.It has a plot twist of sorts, but does not end darkly. The cameos will be interesting to film buffs, but not to anyone else. It's Goldblum, Pfeifer, and the chase that drives this movie. And thankfully, the story - though improbable - strings tightly together and does not involve stupid car chases, explosions, or wanton killing. In fact, the violence is tame by today's standards. There's the brief nudity seen in 80's movies and occasional mild profanity. A nice film to rent. I bought it.

Awesome and lots of fun...
This is one of the best comedy/adventure/chase flicks ever made. Lots of fun with some interesting twists. Don't miss it.

one of my all time favorites
This is a great movie that is always underrated by critics. Jeff Goldblum and Michelle Pfeiffer are wonderful here, at the start of their careers, and without big star egos. The surprise cameos are fun and the story is fresh and unique. I recommend it to anyone who is tired of the same old plot and action. This is well worth the money. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Amazingly Trashy, Amazingly Amazing
There is no better film.

The acting, the writing, the cinematography. The key grip was outstanding.

Robey as Rapunzel was not seductive, not chilling.
Ed O'Ross as Mouth was (...) ugly.

Favorite Quotes:
"Be the Wolf, be the wolf!!"
"Do you believe in fairies? You clap your hands if you believe in fairies. I believe in fairies! (clap, clap)"
"She moved to Seattle."
"This coffee tastes bad(...)."

And at the movies climax, when Mouth dumped silverware on Rapunzel, I wept.

If you are a Robey fan, you'll love this movie!
This is one of the few movies in which Louise Robey (from Friday the 13th the series)has starred. Her scenes alone make the movie worthwhile. The plot could have been better, but I enjoyed the DVD!

robey is good
This "who done it" has some bad acting in it. I couldnt believe some of the trite lines and bad directing.
If you are a fan of Friday the 13th Robey than you will like seeing "all of her". She tried to save the film but it didnt happen. Save this one for a "steamy" night when you need something to get you going.

A Compelling Trifle
A compelling trifle for the fan of either the TV series, Friday the 13th or the actress Louise Robey. Recommended for completists of either of these schools -- Robey is as lovely as ever, and given the opportunity to expose both acting chops and skin. However, if you are not a fan of this actress, then I would not recommend it -- except for her, it is a rather bare-bones, predictable, tepid serial-killer yarn. ... Read more