10 Movies Released At The Wrong Time
2. LA Confidential
LA Confidential actually did pretty well for itself, grossing over $125 million off just a $35 million budget; back in 1997, those numbers are even more impressive. It also helped launch the careers of both Guy Pierce and Russell Crowe in America and is just a great movie all around.
However, the year 1997 belongs to one movie, and one movie alone: Titanic.
LA Confidential’s gross looks rather small in comparison, and while it did win two Academy Awards, these were both in categories in which Titanic had no real contender; Best Supporting Actress for Kim Basinger and Best Adapted Screenplay.
Titanic’s Gloria Stuart (the old lady with the jewel) was nominated alongside Kim Basinger, but was seen as an outsider.
LA Confidential was nominated in 7 other categories, all of which were eventually part of Titanic’s phenomenal 11 wins.
LA Confidential’s immediate gross wasn’t damaged by Titanic, seeing as the crime thriller came out three months before it. Had it come out during a different awards cycle though, it might have been able to establish a better legacy and ensure more longevity. It doesn’t seem to be grouped together with other ‘90s classics, and that’s a real shame.