To Live and Die in L.A.

This is probably William Friedkin's best post-Exorcist film. After watching it I debated with myself over how much I really liked it. Part of me thinks that it's a mostly well executed, though routine cops and robbers film, and another part of me thinks that it's actually a landmark cops and robbers film with more to it than meets the eye. I am now leaning towards the second, though not fully. It's about a Secret Service agent in pursuit of a ruthless counterfeiter (well played by a young Willem Dafoe). The agent, as played by William Peterson, borders on anti-hero status as he abuses his authority, uses dubious methods, and mistreats those around him, particularly a female informant with whom he is having an affair and threaten to revoke her parole if she is stops informing/sleeping with him. There's a spectacular chase sequence in the film that rivals Friedkin's own The French Connection. One can also recognize Friedkin's obsession with realism in the performances and in particular a scene in which we watch Dafoe actually make counterfeit bills (apparently with the unofficial support of an ex-con). It's roots are firmly planted in the 80's, which may not be a bad thing, but it is clearly dated. Also of note is the somewhat unorthodox and unexpected ending that somehow makes more sense than most films of its type.