To Live and Die in L.A. Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A Secret Service agent goes rogue to catch a counterfeiter, resulting in a wild car chase, questionable life choices, and a very abrupt ending that will make you question everything.

🍿 To Live and Die in L.A.: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Reckless Pursuit Begins

Secret Service agent Richard Chance, known for his reckless behavior, is determined to catch notorious counterfeiter Eric Masters. After Masters kills Chance’s partner, Jimmy Hart, just days before his retirement, Chance vows revenge. This sets the stage for a dangerous cat-and-mouse game where Chance increasingly bends the rules, much to the dismay of his new, by-the-book partner, John Vukovich.

Ethical Lines are Crossed

Driven by vengeance, Chance engages in increasingly unethical and illegal activities. He strong-arms informants, tampers with evidence, and even resorts to stealing money to set up Masters. This descent into moral ambiguity puts a strain on his partnership with Vukovich, who struggles to reconcile Chance’s actions with his own sense of justice.

A Deadly Double Cross

As Chance and Vukovich get closer to capturing Masters, they become entangled in a web of deceit and double-crosses. An attempt to intercept a diamond deal goes horribly wrong, resulting in the death of an undercover FBI agent. This incident further escalates the stakes and forces Vukovich to confront the consequences of Chance’s actions.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Richard Chance (William Petersen): A reckless Secret Service agent who becomes obsessed with avenging his partner’s death, blurring the lines between law enforcement and criminal behavior.
• Eric Masters (Willem Dafoe): A ruthless and artistic counterfeiter who operates with a cold and calculated disregard for human life.
• John Vukovich (John Pankow): Richard Chance’s new, by-the-book partner, who struggles with the ethical implications of Chance’s methods.
• Ruth Lanier (Darlanne Fluegel): A parolee and informant who provides Chance with information in exchange for staying out of prison, navigating a dangerous relationship with the agent.
• Bob Grimes (Dean Stockwell): A corrupt and expensive criminal defense lawyer who facilitates Masters’ illicit activities while also looking out for his own interests.
• Carl Cody (John Turturro): A low-level operative in Masters’ counterfeiting operation, caught between loyalty to his boss and self-preservation.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Eric Masters: “You have my word you won’t have to do the whole nickel.” – Masters assures Carl Cody that he won’t serve his full sentence, highlighting his manipulative nature.
• Eric Masters: “I don’t like loose ends.” – Masters states his ruthless approach to managing his criminal enterprise.
• Richard Chance: “Anything for a thrill.” – Chance acknowledges his reckless behavior and his need for excitement, foreshadowing his dangerous choices.
• Ruth Lanier: “You think you’re above it all, don’t you?” – Ruth confronts Chance about his arrogance and disregard for the law.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $6,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $17,307,019
• Worldwide Gross: $17,311,746

💥 To Live and Die in L.A. Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, I am obsessed with this movie! The opening scene of this movie is mind-blowing – the blend of action, and style, and the music makes my pulse race every time. Dafoe is so intense, and Petersen does a good job playing the kind of crazy character. And the car chase? Seriously the best ever. It’s raw, and dangerous and had my heart pounding so hard. I think the twist is insane, and I still can’t believe that is happens in the movie. ‘To Live and Die in L.A.’ has my recommendation!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of 1980s crime thrillers”
  • “Viewers who appreciate gritty and realistic portrayals of law enforcement”
  • “Those interested in films with morally ambiguous characters”
  • “Fans of William Friedkin’s work, especially “The French Connection””
  • “Audiences who enjoy intense action sequences and car chases”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Nudity”
  • “Drug use”
  • “Moral ambiguity”

Professional Reviews

• Roger Ebert: “A stylish and intense crime thriller. Friedkin masterfully creates a world of moral ambiguity where the line between cop and criminal blurs. The car chase alone is worth the price of admission, a masterclass in practical stunt work.
• Variety: “Taut and gripping, ‘To Live and Die in L.A.’ is a prime example of 80s crime cinema. Petersen and Dafoe deliver compelling performances, and Friedkin’s direction is sharp and unforgiving. The Wang Chung soundtrack adds to the film’s unique atmosphere.
• Time Out: “A neo-noir masterpiece. William Friedkin reinvents the cop thriller with a stylish visual language, nihilistic view point, and Wang Chung Soundtrack. William Petersen has the edge and Willem Dafoe will blow your mind.

Audience Reactions

The car chase is insane; pure adrenaline!: Viewers are impressed by the film’s high-octane action and realistic depiction of the criminal underworld.

Willem Dafoe’s performance is amazing; one of the best villains ever.: The acting is awesome, the film is engaging, and the twist is very sad.

Overall Consensus: A stylish, dark crime thriller with a killer soundtrack and unforgettable car chase. Many consider it a cult classic.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Director William Friedkin insisted on using real locations throughout Los Angeles, contributing to the film’s gritty and authentic feel.”
• “The film’s soundtrack was composed by the band Wang Chung, marking a departure from traditional film scores and adding to its distinct 80s vibe.”
• “The car chase scene, considered one of the best ever filmed, was meticulously planned and executed, involving real stunts and minimal special effects.”
• “To ensure authenticity, the counterfeit money used in the film was created under the supervision of a former counterfeiter.”

🖥️ How to Watch To Live and Die in L.A.?

As of today, October 26, 2023, “To Live and Die in L.A.” is available for purchase or rental on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your preferred streaming service for availability as it may change.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed To Live and Die in L.A., you might like these similar films:

• The French Connection (1971): Directed by William Friedkin, this film shares the same gritty realism and features a morally ambiguous protagonist.
• Manhunter (1986): Another stylish 80s thriller starring William Petersen, focusing on a driven investigator.
• Heat (1995): Features a similar cat-and-mouse game between a determined law enforcement officer and a sophisticated criminal.
• Drive (2011): Showcases a stylish neo-noir aesthetic and features a protagonist willing to cross ethical lines.

🛒 To Live and Die in L.A. Related Products

• To Live and Die in L.A. [Blu-ray]: High-definition Blu-ray release featuring restored image and sound, director’s commentary, and behind-the-scenes footage. The pristine quality enhances the visual experience of this classic.
• Wang Chung – To Live and Die in L.A. (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) [Vinyl]: Limited edition vinyl record of the iconic Wang Chung soundtrack. Features original artwork and remastered audio, capturing the unique sound of the 80s.
• To Live and Die in L.A. Movie Poster: High-quality reprint of the original movie poster. Printed on archival paper, perfect for framing and displaying as a statement piece.
• Official To Live and Die in L.A. T-Shirt: Premium quality t-shirt featuring iconic imagery from the movie. Available in various sizes, made with soft, comfortable fabric.

🎧 Soundtrack

To Live and Die in L.A. features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “To Live and Die in L.A.” – performed by Wang Chung
• “Dance Hall Days” – performed by Wang Chung
• “Wait” – performed by Wang Chung

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Former Special Agent Reviews Counterfeit Money in TV & Film | Vanity Fair

Ever wondered how accurate the counterfeiting in ‘To Live and Die in L.A.’ is? A former Secret Service agent breaks down the movie, pointing out what’s real and what’s Hollywood magic. I was surprised by how much they got right!

Bill Burr | Good Movies With Awful Music

Bill Burr has a pretty funny take on music in movies, and ‘To Live and Die in L.A.’ is one of his examples! Hear what he thinks of the soundtrack – whether you agree or not, you’ll probably laugh.

To LIve and Die in LA foot chase: Shot list – How to direct – One minute Film School

Want to know how they filmed that intense foot chase in ‘To Live and Die in L.A.?’ This video breaks down the shots and directing techniques used to create the scene. It’s really cool to see the filmmaking secrets revealed!

To Live And Die In LA Filming Locations Then And Now – 1985 – 80slife

It’s fascinating to see how the locations from ‘To Live and Die in L.A.’ look today! This video shows the before-and-after of iconic spots. It’s a cool way to connect the movie to the real world.

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