To Live and Die in L.A. (1985)

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Has anyone seen this film by William Friedkin? If so, you're beautiful, to quote Willem Dafoe. It is, without a doubt, one of my all-time favorite thriller films. The basic plot sounds generic: hotshot cop (or in this case, Secret Service agent) Richard Chance, wonderfully played by then-newcomer William Petersen, wants payback on Rick Masters, portrayed by fellow-newcomer Dafoe, for blowing his retiring partner's head off, and boy, he does not care what he has to do in order to do it. Upon viewing it, there's more to it than meets the eye. The characters may be unlikeable or scummy, but despite this, Friedkin gives them three-dimensional portraits that keep us glued to the screen. I'm a sucker for character development and the deep stuff, and I constantly put it in my DVD/Blu-Ray player, scanning the film for hidden meanings and even developing alternative interpretations of it.

In short, I'm obsessed over it.

Great car chase, too.

It's a much better Miami Vice movie than Miami Vice was.

I love Michael Mann, too. Heat is awesome, but To Live and Die in L.A. bends it over and makes it its b***h.

I only saw part of the film. I'll have to revisit it. I do remember it, though, because of the soundtrack by Wang Chung.

Great Film. I love the chase scene.

I have seen this and thought it was very good for an 80's film. If I remember correctly it was about corrupt police? Willem Dafoe was great as usual. But I was disappointed when the main cop was shot! I thought it should have been his partner who was shot. Anyway it had a good atmosphere. I may watch it again soon.

SPOILER ALERT!
Given his rather arseholish actions throughout the story, Chance's death seemed inevitable. He was asking to die.

Maybe but it might have been a good twist that he didn't. Despite his behaviour he managed to get away with it all.

I remember reading, but I forget where, that that chase scene was Friedkin's attempt to outdo the chase scene from The French Connection. But I give kudos to the uniqueness of that scene.