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.”

7.1

1985

1h 56m

CrimeThrillerAction

Director: William Friedkin

Overview

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.

Trailer

Official Trailer Official

Cast

Richard Chance

William Petersen

Richard Chance

Rick Masters

Willem Dafoe

Rick Masters

John Vukovich

John Pankow

John Vukovich

Bianca Torres

Debra Feuer

Bianca Torres

Carl Cody

John Turturro

Carl Cody

Bob Grimes

Dean Stockwell

Bob Grimes

Ruth Lanier

Darlanne Fluegel

Ruth Lanier

Jim Hart

Michael Greene

Jim Hart

Jeff Rice

Steve James

Jeff Rice

Thomas Bateman

Robert Downey Sr.

Thomas Bateman

Max Waxman

Christopher Allport

Max Waxman

Judge Filo Cedillo

Valentin de Vargas

Judge Filo Cedillo

Reviews

griggs79

_To Live and Die in L.A._ is a sharp, cynical thriller where style trumps sentiment. Friedkin pairs bold visuals with a pulsing Tangerine Dream score, driving a fast, morally murky plot. Corruption spreads, rules bend, and no one stays clean. The car chase is a highlight—second only to _The French Connection_. Boldly killing off the lead mid-film, it bridges classic noir and modern thrillers. In this world, survival means faking it better than the rest.

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