Details
Movie Description
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 AND 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 repercussions, leading to a morally ambiguous cul-de-sac from which there may be no return.
Synopsis
Secret Service agent Richard Chance will do anything--whether legal or not--to nail the creep who murdered his partner. Then he gets a lead on the killer...but the wily criminal is smooth enough to keep eluding capture.
Film Notes
Theatrical release: November 1985.
Filmed in Los Angeles and San Pedro.
Industry Reviews
"...Engrossing....Extremely well cast....Everyone here seems capable of deception and moral duplicity, and then live up to those expectations..."
Variety - Cart. (10/30/1985)
"...One of the great underrated films of the Eighties....A movie with a vision..."
Film Comment - Gavin Smith
"...Vibrant....It's a kick to watch a lanky, fresh-faced Petersen..."
Entertainment Weekly - Mike Flaherty (12/05/2003)
"[With] kinetic action scenes....Three new faces made significant early impressions..."
USA Today - Mike Clark (12/12/2003)
"Ridiculously entertaining car chase and all....The movie benefits from LA shimmer..."
Uncut - Danny Leigh (11/01/2004)
Quotations
"Why are you running?"--John Vukovich (John Pankow)
"Because you're chasing me!"--Criminal
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