If you want a grim view of the world with a side order of widespread corruption and young women being killed, then look no further than James Ellroy. Principally inspired by his own mother's unsolved murder back in the 50s, Ellroy's crime fiction is characterised by a pessimistic worldview, dense plotting and plumbing the depths of human depravity. Which, along with his unique/unreadable (depending on who you ask) writing style, means that the best way of enjoying his work is probably with Curtis Hanson's film version of LA Confidential. Starring then-unknowns Guy Pearce and Russell Crowe (along with Kevin Spacey, Danny DeVito and Kim Basinger from The Simpsons), LA Confidential tells the story of a group of homicide detectives in 50s Los Angeles who come a cropper of widespread police corruption and the burgenoning tabloid cult of celebrity in Hollywood. Along with a downbeat feel and a cast of reasonably unlikable characters played by big-name actors, what LA Confidential has in common with True Detective is its differences between the two leads: the by-the-book Sergeant Exley (Pearce), whose cold demeanour alienates him from his colleagues (remind you of anyone?) and the hot-headed Officer White (Crowe), a technically good policeman who sometimes lets his emotions, and fists, run any with him (remind you of anyone?).
Tom Baker is the Comics Editor at WhatCulture! He's heard all the Doctor Who jokes, but not many about Randall and Hopkirk. He also blogs at http://communibearsilostate.wordpress.com/
