To Live And Die In L.A. (1985)

After his partner (Michael Greene) of seven years is brutally murdered by a counterfeiter (Willem Dafoe), a Secret Service agent (William Petersen) will go to any lengths to avenge him even if it means breaking the law. But this path to vengeance turns into a journey into hell. Based on the novel by Gerald Petievich and directed by William Friedkin (THE EXORCIST), who co-wrote the screenplay along with Petievich, a former Secret Service agent. This intense kinetic action thriller is an astounding rollercoaster ride. It's sort of Friedkin's L.A. take on his previous THE FRENCH CONNECTION including a breathtaking car chase through the streets and freeways. To his credit, Friedkin keeps the film's dark descent right to the very end with each and every character either morally bankrupt or at least complicit. With the exception of John Pankow, very weak and never quite believable, as Petersen's new partner, the acting is excellent right down the line. Robby Muller's (BREAKING THE WAVES) cinematography is simply awesome. The underscore is by Wang Chung. With Dean Stockwell, John Turturro, Debra Feuer and Darlanne Fluegel.