Other Titles • To Live and Die in L.A. • Leben und sterben in L.A. (1986)
Synopses for To Live and Die in L.A. (1985)
1.
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 in William Friedkin's thrilling, suspenseful crime drama. With violent shoot-outs and a turbulent chase scene reminiscent of Friedkin's own THE FRENCH CONNECTION, TO LIVE AN DIE IN L.A. broke with tradition by making the ostensible hero as morally reprehensible as the villain he pursues. Clashing with bureaucratic obstacles, Chance is forced to break the rules in order to procure cash for a sting operation, but the risks he takes snowball into an avalanche of violence and moral reprecussions, leading to a morally ambiguous cul-de-sac from which there may be no return.
(20 votes)
2.
William Friedkin briefly revived his faltering career with this sleek, bleak thriller of a pair of secret service agents on the trail of a counterfeiter. William L. Peterson is the hotshot protégé of a career agent killed by the ruthless, almost feral counterfeiting genius Willem Dafoe (Platoon). Now Petersen, teamed with the smart but still green John Pankow (TV's Mad About You), is ready to twist arms, lean on criminals, steal, and even murder to exact his revenge. The harrowing chase through the streets of Los Angeles that climaxes on the freeway at rush hour, where Friedkin's brilliant twist sends them heading the wrong way, careening through a sea of cars coming straight at them, is still one of the most breathtaking car chases ever filmed. Friedkin's edgy crime thriller, stylishly shot in steely blues against hazy red and orange skies by Robby Muller (Paris, Texas), paints a very thin line between the good guys and the bad guys, and Wang Chung's techno soundtrack sets the proper mood--jumpy and alienated. It's a cynical and very brutal look into the world of law enforcement (adapted by Friedkin and former Secret Service man Gerald Petievich from his novel) and a cold portrayal of the power games between cops and feds, and cops and informants. John Turturro, Dean Stockwell, and Robert Downey Sr. are featured in supporting roles. --Sean Axmaker
DVD features The DVD debut delivers a pristine print and excellent sound for this harried 1985 film; director William Friedkin tells us there has never been a better print of his film after he and technicians worked on the DVD. Friedkin talks up a storm on his commentary track, but everything you need to know is in the excellent 30-minute making-of short that covers all the bases very nicely. The alternate ending, which was filmed under protest, is a hoot to watch, and was correctly jettisoned. --Doug Thomas
(19 votes)
3.
Gritty thriller about a determined Secret Service agent hunting a ruthless counterfeiter. The rampant violence and morally ambiguous plot garnered mixed reviews, but true action fans love the spectacular car chases and bloody gunfights.
(19 votes)
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