Not many cities in the world are as beloved today as L.A. Since the 1970’s, Los Angeles has often been depicted in memorable movies. Whether it’s star-crossed lovers, western actors or pulp gangsters, the city has created several strong characters. Given the sheer number of movies filmed in the city, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite films about L.A. which deserve to be celebrated.
1. La La Land
Achieving dreams in life often comes with a sacrifice. At an early age, I fell in love with a girl in school with dreams of marriage. Dressed in gorgeous attire, she was a girl my entire school would admire. However, immigration became a barrier bringing bonds to closure. When y family immigrated to Canada, I was forced sacrificing romance with a girl I appreciated. Few films I’ve seen have captured sacrifices involved in accomplishing dreams that are planned as powerfully as “La La Land”. Following its release in 2016, Damien Chazelle’s movie has stood test of time as the greatest movie ever made about Los Angeles. With the greatest film of his career, Chazelle used innovative cinematic techniques to capture beauty of a city where dreams appear. Chazelle has always had an aptitude for making compelling movies about Los Angeles, and “La La Land” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. Chazelle effectively uses musical montages to capture lovers pursuing dreams in Los Angeles. For instance, the scene where Mia sings about her dreams to become an actress in an audition inspired by her grandma is one of the greatest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all are phenomenal performances from Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, who portray a pair of commemorated artists chasing dreams in L.A. Ultimately, what makes “La La Land” my favourite film about Los Angeles of all-time is commemorated appeal. Unlike most movies set in L.A., it discusses themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a profound message about the importance of pursuing commemorated dreams which would resonate with everyone. Nearly a decade following the release of a groundbreaking musical demonstrating lovers dancing on a lovely night in L.A., it’s a breathtaking reminder of a city that has been home to commemorated movies which deserve to be celebrated today.
2. Pulp Fiction
Quentin Tarantino is a legendary filmmaker that always impressed my teacher. Several years ago, my teacher once deeply appreciated Tarantino. He would always speak fondly about a great director making movies in L.A. that shaped his identity. Tarantino has always filmed great movies set in L.A. as a location, and his love for the city is evident in “Pulp Fiction”. Released in 1994, Tarantino’s greatest movie captured the lives of gangsters seeking redemption in Los Angeles. Tarantino’s greatest strength as a filmmaker is his ability to create compelling characters through engaging dialogue, and its evident in “Pulp Fiction”. For instance, the iconic scene in which Jules and Vincent discuss their favourite burger restaurants during a car ride in L.A. is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Samuel L. Jackson, who portrayed a gangster seeking redemption in Los Angeles. Ultimately, what makes “Pulp Fiction” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most Tarantino movies, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. The film delivers a meaningful message about redemption which resonates with everyone. A powerful portrait of pulp gangsters in L.A. seeking redemption, it’s a bold reminder of a city making great movies which deserve immense worldwide appreciation.
3. Magnolia
It’s always challenging facing the loss of a loved one. Several years ago, my family’s life hit crushing lows when our housekeeper was killed causing sorrow. No matter how hard we tried, my family couldn’t recover from the loss of a housekeeper that tragically died. As someone haunted by the death of a housemaid that caused trauma, I loved “Magnolia”. Released in 1999, Paul Thomas Anderson’s movie captured the lives of individuals affected by loss in Los Angeles. Anderson has always had an aptitude for making movies about L.A., and “Magnolia” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. For instance, the scene in which Mackie breaks down crying watching his father dying in a hospital causing trauma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Tom Cruise, who embodied an L.A. comedian with mental health issues. Ultimately, what makes “Magnolia” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about loss which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of individuals affected by loss causing individuals in L.A. to face trauma, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated city that has manufactured great movies that attract audiences to the modern-day Cinema.
4. Heat
Bank robbers participating in criminal behaviour always fascinated my brother. I remember my brother was intrigued by frightening bank robbers facing danger. He would marvel at ways bank robbers got away with committing crimes without facing a price to pay. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured the heat of bank robberies as powerfully as “Heat”. Released in 1999, Michael Mann’s movie captured bank robbers committing crimes in Los Angeles. Mann has always had an aptitude for making great movies about Los Angeles facing danger, and “Heat” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. Mann used captivating handheld camerawork to capture bank robbers committing crimes in a doomed city. For instance, the scene in which the police have a tense confrontation with bank robbers causing trauma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Al Pacino, who embodied an L.A. cop facing sorrow. Ultimately, what makes “Heat” a crime classic is its appeal. Unlike most movies about bank robberies, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about crime which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of commemorated bank robbers catching heat, it’s a riveting reminder of a city that has produced movies audiences consider a treat.
5. Birdman
Broadway actors have figures that fascinate my father today. At an early age, I formed strong bonds with a father that admired actors performing on stage. Fascinated with Broadway, he would marvel at the meticulous way in which theatre actors sought to create a stage play. As someone treasuring a father that adored Broadway performers with a plan, I admired “Birdman”. Released in 2015, Alejandro Gonzales Inarritu’s Oscar-winning movie captured mentally unstable theatre performers. Inarritu effectively uses unreliable narration to capture the mind of a mentally disturbed theatre actor facing tension. For instance, the scene in which Riggan faces a breakdown arguing with his alter-ego in his apartment causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Michael Keaton, who embodied an actor facing self-destruction. Ultimately, what makes “Birdman” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about mental health which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of Broadway theatre to appreciate it. A bold portrait of mental health struggles faced by actors seeking success on stage, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated genre that hasn’t lost its abilities to engage by manufacturing great movies with a meaningful message.
6. Training Day
Crime is common in the city of L.A. today. Los Angeles has built an image of being a city where violence causes criminals to face damage. The way in which crimes are rarely ever resolved by police in L.A. is beautifully depicted in the movie “Training Day”. Released in 2001, Antoine Fuqua’s movie captured crime in the city. Unlike most movies made about Los Angeles, what makes “Training Day” stand out is its depiction of cops. Fuqua uses captivating montages capturing hardships that corrupt cops in L.A. are facing. Assisted by Denzel Washington who is amazing in the lead role, Fuqua captured crimes in L.A. A powerful portrait of conflicted cops seeking to train, it’s a profound reminder of a commemorated genre that has manufactured unforgettable movies about a beautiful city which are always guaranteed to tremendously entertain.
7. Mulholland Drive
David Lynch is a fantastic filmmaker that made great movies about Los Angeles in danger. With their compelling acting, strong storytelling and meaningful themes, Lynch’s movies earned a huge following. L.A. has often played a strong role in Lynch’s movies, and it is most evident in “Mulholland Drive”. Released in 2001, David Lynch’s movie offered an engaging L.A. murder mystery. Lynch used captivating locations across L.A. to capture the hardships that mentally disturbed actresses in the city are experiencing. Assisted by Naomi Watts who is extraordinary in the lead role, Lynch captured the darkness of the city. As strong as Betty’s desire to become an actress, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated genre that has manufactured unforgettable movies about a beautiful city which have never lost abilities to tremendously impress.
8. L.A. Confidential
Cops often face conflict in L.A. today. The city long had a history of cops struggling to resolve crimes causing tragedies. Being a cop often comes with a painful price to pay in L.A. In 1997, Curtis Hanson captured the struggle faced by cops keeping their issues confidential in his movie “L.A. Confidential”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “L.A. Confidential” stand out is its depiction of police-officers. Hanson uses captivating montages capturing tensions cops in L.A. seeking to resolve crimes are facing. Assisted by Guy Pearce who is extraordinary in the lead role, Hanson captured a powerful portrait of L.A. police. A powerful portrait of cops seeking to investigate crimes in L.A. committed, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated city that has manufactured memorable movies audiences always tremendously appreciated.
9. The Big Lebowski
The Coen Brothers are fantastic filmmakers that have often made great movies about Los Angeles. L.A. has often been a commemorated backdrop in the brothers’ iconic movies. In 1998, the Brothers used L.A. as an effective backdrop for their movie “The Big Lebowski”. Unlike most commemorated movies about Los Angeles, what makes “The Big Lebowski” stand out is its sharp sense of humour. The Coen Brothers use satirical comedy capturing the lives of drug dealers committing crimes causing tragedies. Assisted by John Goodman who is extraordinary in the lead role, the Brothers created a captivating satire about Los Angeles. As powerful as drugs stolen by the Dude, it’s a riveting reminder of a beautiful city with commemorated locations that has produced unforgettable movies which audiences have commonly tremendously valued.
10. Babylon
Substance abuse is a serious addiction that impacts celebrities in Los Angeles. Since the 1920’s, drugs affect celebrities in L.A. In 2022, Damien Chazelle depicted the era when drugs had a huge impact on L.A. celebrities in his movie “Babylon”. Chazelle used production-design to capture an era when celebrities abused substances. Assisted by Margot Robbie who is superb in the lead role, Chazelle honoured drug use in history. Although I admired the movie, it has aged poorly. The film’s depiction of Los Angeles as a city where drugs destroy celebrities has tarnished its legacy. Nevertheless, it’s a strong addition to the genre. A dazzling depiction of celebrity drug abuse, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre making great movies changing the views of Los Angeles which I will forever treasure for inspiring my passion of writing movie reviews.
The Film Buff 