Mulholland Falls

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Mulholland Falls ★★½ 1995 (R)

Noir meets the nuclear age in this stylish period piece from New Zealand director Tamahori. Nolte plays the leader of the Hat Squad, a vicious group of fedora-sporting detectives assigned to bust organized crime in ‘50s L.A. at all costs. While investigating the murder of his ex-mistress, Nolte and cohorts Madsen, Palminteri and Penn discover evidence linking the murder to a general (Malkovich) in charge of the top secret nuclear program. Although the cast is dripping with big name stars, the best performance is put in by the glossy set design of Richard Sylbert, who probably had a strong case of deja vu, having previously done “Chinatown.” 107m/C VHS, DVD . Nick Nolte, Melanie Griffith, Chazz Palminteri, Michael Madsen, Christopher Penn, Treat Williams, Jennifer Connelly, Andrew McCarthy, John Malkovich, Daniel Baldwin, Bruce Dern, Ed Lauter; Cameos: William L. Petersen, Rob Lowe; D: Lee Tamahori; W: Pete Dexter; C: Haskell Wexler; M: Dave Grusin. Golden Raspberries ‘96: Worst Support. Actress (Griffith).

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