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To Live and Die in L.A.

To Live and Die in L.A.

Crime · Thriller · Action · 1985

When his longtime partner on the force is killed, reckless U.S. Secret Service agent Richard Chance vows revenge, setting out to nab dangerous counterfeit artist Eric Masters.

Movie details

To Live and Die in L.A.

“A federal agent is dead. A killer is loose. And the City of Angels is about to explode.”

1985 Crime · Thriller · Action 1h 56m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

7.1 / 10

Community rating

When his longtime partner on the force is killed, reckless U.S. Secret Service agent Richard Chance vows revenge, setting out to nab dangerous counterfeit artist Eric Masters.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over To Live and Die in L.A.?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Code of Silence

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The Dead Pool

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The Anderson Tapes

The Anderson Tapes

Crime · 1971

Thief Duke Anderson—just released from ten years in jail—takes up with his old girlfriend in her posh apartment block, and makes plans to rob the entire building. What he doesn't know is that his every move is being recorded on audio and video, although he is not the subject of any surveillance.

Where it lives

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

William Friedkin

Written by

Gerald Petievich · William Friedkin

William L. Petersen

William L. Petersen

Richard Chance

Willem Dafoe

Willem Dafoe

Rick Masters

John Pankow

John Pankow

John Vukovich

Debra Feuer

Debra Feuer

Bianca Torres

John Turturro

John Turturro

Carl Cody

Dean Stockwell

Dean Stockwell

Bob Grimes

Darlanne Fluegel

Darlanne Fluegel

Ruth Lanier

Court is in session

Put To Live and Die in L.A. on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Adrenaline Seeker

“Momentum is a formal choice.”

The velocity sharpens instinct and tension, making every beat land before self-importance can settle in.

The prosecution The Auteur Devotee

“Speed as an alibi.”

The film races past its weak spots and hopes acceleration will keep the audience from inspecting the evidence.