Mulholland Falls

REVIEW
In 1950s Los Angeles, a renegade group of cops known as the "Hat Squad" implemented their own individual brand of justice against criminals with an unlawful but patriotic zeal. Had they ever seen this muddled though frequently exciting exposé of vigilantism and cover-up suggested by their real-life exploits, the filmmakers may have been next to be "escorted" out of town. Nolte heads the cast as Max Hoover, one of the four elite cops who -- upon the investigation of a murdered woman, with whom the married Hoover was once involved -- become entangled in a complex mystery which ultimately leads to military conspiracy. This excellent evocation of post-war L.A. is unfortunately a bargain basement Chinatown, which only belies its original premise. Fellow cops Madsen and Penn have literally nothing to do, and soon disappear. Tamahori has a great feel for time and place but isn't able to jump start a contrived script.