Mulholland Falls Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Cops who solve crimes by chucking people off cliffs discover that atomic secrets are way more dangerous than mobsters.

🍿 Mulholland Falls: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction of the ‘Hat Squad’

In 1950s Los Angeles, an elite LAPD unit known as the ‘Hat Squad’ operates outside the bounds of traditional law enforcement. Led by Lieutenant Max Hoover (Nick Nolte), and comprised of Elleroy Coolidge (Chazz Palminteri), Eddie Hall (Michael Madsen), and Arthur Relyea (Chris Penn), they are notorious for their brutal tactics against organized crime, including dumping gangsters off Mulholland Drive. This sets the stage for a story where justice is often served with a heavy hand.

The Murder of Allison Pond

The Hat Squad is called to investigate the murder of a young woman, Allison Pond (Jennifer Connelly), who is found dead at a construction site. Hoover quickly realizes that he had a prior relationship with Allison, complicating the investigation. This personal connection creates tension as Hoover attempts to balance his duty with his past involvement. The circumstances surrounding her death are mysterious, with the coroner suggesting she fell from a great height despite the absence of any nearby cliffs.

Secrets and Blackmail

As the investigation progresses, the squad discovers that Allison was involved with numerous powerful men and that their liaisons were secretly filmed. Among these men is General Thomas Timms (John Malkovich), the head of the Atomic Energy Commission. These films become leverage for blackmail, and Hoover’s own affair with Allison is revealed, further complicating the case and threatening his marriage to Katherine (Melanie Griffith).

Conspiracy and Cover-Up

The investigation leads Hoover and his team into a web of government and military secrets. They encounter resistance from the FBI and face increasing pressure to drop the case. As they dig deeper, they uncover a conspiracy involving atomic testing and the exploitation of unsuspecting individuals. The stakes escalate, and the Hat Squad finds themselves battling forces far more powerful than the gangsters they usually confront.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Max Hoover (Nick Nolte): The tough leader of the LAPD’s ‘Hat Squad’ who investigates the murder of his former lover, uncovering a web of secrets and corruption.
• Allison Pond (Jennifer Connelly): A young woman whose murder sets off a complex investigation involving powerful men and hidden secrets.
• Katherine Hoover (Melanie Griffith): Max Hoover’s wife, whose life is disrupted by the revelations of his past and the murder investigation.
• Elleroy Coolidge (Chazz Palminteri): A short-tempered member of the ‘Hat Squad’ who undergoes psychiatric therapy to help deal with his anger.
• General Thomas Timms (John Malkovich): The terminally ill head of the Atomic Energy Commission who is linked to Allison Pond.
• Colonel Nathan Fitzgerald (Treat Williams): An Army Colonel is in charge of base security and is deeply involved with the murder of Alison Pond and top secret military base.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Lieutenant Max Hoover: “See, that’s federal property. This isn’t. This is L.A. This is my town. Out here you’re a trespasser. Out here I can pick you up, burn your house, fuck your wife, and kill your dog. And the only thing that’ll protect you is if I can’t find you. And I already found you.” – Hoover delivers this threatening speech to Colonel Fitzgerald after catching him trespassing, asserting his dominance in Los Angeles.
• General Thomas Timms: “Atoms are mostly empty space. The floor, you, me… all empty space.” – Timms makes this philosophical statement, highlighting the insubstantial nature of reality amidst the darkness of the story.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $29,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $11,526,099
• Worldwide Gross: $11,526,099

💥 Mulholland Falls Reviews

Personal Review

I watched Mulholland Falls hoping for a great neo-noir thriller. Nick Nolte does a solid job as the tough cop, but the convoluted plot and numerous characters made it hard to follow at times. Jennifer Connelly shines in her limited role, and the movie has a great visual style. The ending felt a bit rushed, and the overall impact was less than I expected. It’s a decent movie but not one I’ll likely revisit soon. While the production design captured the 1950s setting effectively, I found myself longing for a more cohesive storyline to tie everything together. I think that the film needed a little more time to let the story breathe, even though it was 1h 47m long.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of neo-noir films like L.A. Confidential”
  • “Viewers interested in crime dramas set in the 1950s”
  • “Those who appreciate complex plots and moral ambiguity”
  • “Fans of the actors Nick Nolte, Jennifer Connelly, and John Malkovich”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Sexual content”
  • “Brief nudity”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “Mulholland Falls is a stylish but ultimately shallow neo-noir that squanders its talented cast on a convoluted plot and uninspired dialogue. It tries too hard to be like Chinatown but fails to capture the same magic.
• IMDb: “A decent movie with a very good cast. Nolte brings his brute-force persona to the role, gravel voiced, tough, inelegant. The characters are almost desperately differentiated but they are not captured. The film doesn’t really seem to HAVE much of a setting.
• Metacritic: “Mixed or average reviews based on 19 critics. Derivative cops & corruption. Nolte brings his brute-force persona to the role, gravel voiced, tough, inelegant. But, forsooth, what ugly beasts they were. The score is as derivative as the rest of the movie.

Audience Reactions

The atmosphere of 1950s Los Angeles and the visual style were well-executed and enjoyable.: Fans generally appreciated the film’s style and the performances of the lead actors, even if the plot was confusing.

Nick Nolte does a solid job as the tough cop, but the convoluted plot and numerous characters made it hard to follow at times.: Nick Nolte delivers a commanding performance.

Overall Consensus: A visually appealing neo-noir with strong performances hampered by a convoluted and ultimately unsatisfying plot.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film’s title refers to Mulholland Drive, a scenic road in Los Angeles, and a fictional spot where the Hat Squad disposes of unwanted criminals.”
• “The story is loosely based on the real-life LAPD ‘Hat Squad’ of the 1950s, known for their tough tactics against organized crime.”
• “Director Lee Tamahori, known for ‘Once Were Warriors,’ aimed for a classic film noir style, emphasizing the visual atmosphere of 1950s Los Angeles.”

🖥️ How to Watch Mulholland Falls?

Mulholland Falls is available for purchase or rental on various platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your preferred streaming service for availability, as options may vary depending on your region. Consider purchasing a digital copy for permanent access or renting for a one-time viewing.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Mulholland Falls, you might like these similar films:

• L.A. Confidential (1997): A similar neo-noir crime drama set in 1950s Los Angeles, exploring police corruption and dark secrets.
• Chinatown (1974): A classic neo-noir that investigates corruption, murder, and hidden agendas in Los Angeles.
• The Black Dahlia (2006): Another neo-noir crime thriller with a star-studded cast, focusing on a dark and mysterious murder in post-war Los Angeles.

🛒 Mulholland Falls Related Products

• L.A. Confidential (Special Edition) [Blu-ray]: If you liked the 1950s setting and the cop drama of Mulholland Falls, then L.A. Confidential is a must-watch, featuring a more polished and compelling story.
• Fedora Hat for Men 1920s Gangster Manhattan Trilby Hat: Complete your Max Hoover look with a stylish fedora reminiscent of the 1950s gangster era. Perfect for costumes or everyday wear.
• 1950s Retro Style Sunglasses Vintage Inspired: Get the vintage look with these 1950s-inspired sunglasses. Perfect for a touch of old Hollywood glamor.
• Chinatown [Blu-ray]: This movie is referenced as the original inspiration.

🎧 Soundtrack

Mulholland Falls features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Harbour Lights” – performed by Aaron Neville
• “Mulholland Falls Main Title” – performed by Dave Grusin

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Defining Film Noir

Ever wondered what makes a movie ‘film noir’? This video breaks it down and even uses Mulholland Falls as an example! It’s a great way to see how style can shape a story.

Jennifer Connelly: The Naked Years & Early Career

Curious about Jennifer Connelly’s early roles? This video explores her journey, including her work in Mulholland Falls. I found it fascinating to see how her career evolved!

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