To Live and Die in L.A.

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To Live and Die in L.A.

R

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1h 56m

Crime

Drama

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88%

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49 Reviews

78%

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10,000+ Ratings

When his longtime partner on the force is killed, reckless U.S. Secret Service agent Richard Chance (William L. Petersen) vows revenge, setting out to nab dangerous counterfeit artist Eric Masters (Willem Dafoe). Along with his new, straitlaced partner, John Vukovich (John Pankow), Chance sets up a scheme to entrap Masters, resulting in the accidental death of an undercover officer. As Chance's desire for justice becomes an obsession, Vukovich questions the lawless methods he employs.

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Critics Consensus

With coke fiends, car chases, and Wang Chung galore, To Live and Die in L.A. is perhaps the ultimate '80s action/thriller.

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Joe Clay

Times (UK)

The high point of the film is a stunning car chase, in which the agents drive against the flow of traffic on a busy six-lane freeway that is only surpassed by the one in Friedkin’s earlier masterpiece, The French Connection.

Feb 7, 2023

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Jay Boyar

Orlando Sentinel

If Friedkin occasionally goes overboard, he certainly commands an attention-getting technique and manages to tell a fascinating story.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 22, 2021

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Catherine Rambeau

Detroit Free Press

Comparisons to TV's "Miami Vice" are probably inevitable because of the picture's look and sound track. But "To Live and Die in L.A." is hotter, faster, kinkier, and has better music.

Rated: 8/10

Aug 22, 2021

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Chris Ludovici

The Spool

It was a slam-bang thriller and a moody treatise on how truly lost we were.

Sep 25, 2023

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Danielle Solzman

Solzy at the Movies

William Friedkin shows why he was one of the best action filmmakers with cat and mouse thriller To Live and Die in L.A.

Rated: 5/5

Sep 15, 2023

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

There’s not really much substance here, but the film looks fantastic and showcases a grabber of a car chase.

Rated: 3/4

May 31, 2023

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Laurie S

Secret Service unarmed combat training isn't as good as it's made out to be apparently.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/19/25

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Ari .

Doesn't quite pull off what it seems to be going for, yet isn't anywhere near as vapid as some of its early posery might suggest.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/19/25

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Blu B

All Time Classic. It's a 70's style Neo Noir film made in the 80's with 80's asetics. Friedkin's direction is masterful. The plot is super complex but visually strong and somehow suprisingly focused enough to follow it pretty darn well. It's difficult to explain it to someone but I get it and follow it. The acting is really good. DaFoe is an amazing villian in this and the clear standout. Everyone else is really good with great dialouge throughout as well. Chance really didn't stand out much but he ended up growing on me honestly supirsingly with his determination and courage to avenge his partner. The two got good chemistry honestly. Everything else is masterful. It's a gritty film but at the same time super slick and stylish as well. It reminds me of a Michael Mann film almost with an awesome chase too. The music is incredibly catchy and fits the 80's asetics perfectly. Filled with twists and turns and a twist ending that you'll never see coming. Even if your a seasoned veteran with Noirs. Everyone should give this a try once.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/16/25

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Perry B

Synopsis: To Live and Die in L.A. - Secret Service Agent versus Murderous Counterfeiter. William Petersen delivers a powerful performance as Secret Service agent Richard Chance, a man who doesn't play by the rules. When his partner is murdered by notorious counterfeiter Rick Masters (Willem Dafoe in a brilliantly sinister portrayal), Chance vows to bring the criminal down at any cost. The film features one of cinema's most intense car chase sequences, weaving through Los Angeles freeways against oncoming traffic. With its gritty atmosphere, morally complex characters, and pulse-pounding action, this 1985 thriller stands as one of the decade's finest crime dramas.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/15/25

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bob c

Very good 1980s iconic movie driven by Peterson’s character’s pursuit of Defoe’s. Not much to not like, tho the resolution is a bit of a let down.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/12/25

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Jonathan O

Electrifying powerful exhilarating violent action crime thriller film ever with dynamic director William Friedkin with really outstanding cinematography it really feels like Miami Vice series but with a heat of the city of Los Angeles and really incredible cast and if you watched carefully there's a GTA vibe in this film.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/19/24

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William Friedkin

Director

William Petersen

Richard Chance

Willem Dafoe

Eric 'Rick' Masters

John Pankow

John Vukovich

Debra Feuer

Bianca Torres

John Turturro

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To Live and Die in L.A.: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

When his longtime partner on the force is killed, reckless U.S. Secret Service agent Richard Chance (William L. Petersen) vows revenge, setting out to nab dangerous counterfeit artist Eric Masters (Willem Dafoe). Along with his new, straitlaced partner, John Vukovich (John Pankow), Chance sets up a scheme to entrap Masters, resulting in the accidental death of an undercover officer. As Chance's desire for justice becomes an obsession, Vukovich questions the lawless methods he employs.

Director: William Friedkin
Producer: Irving H. Levin
Screenwriter: William Friedkin, Gerald Petievich
Distributor: MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc., Vestron Video
Production Co: New Century Productions
Rating: R
Genre: Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 1, 1985, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 1, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $16.6M
Runtime: 1h 56m
Sound Mix: Dolby, Surround
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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