To Live and Die in L.A. (1985)

Two Geeks and a GIT Classic Movie Reviews

The second film in our pairing examining the work of director William Friedkin takes place on the other coast from our first. In 1985's "To Live and Die in L.A.," Secret Service agent Richard Chance (William Petersen) loses his long-time partner Jimmy Hart (Michael Greene) after he is killed trying to track down notorious counterfeiter Eric Masters (Willem Dafoe). Chance and his second partner John Vukovich (John Pankow) continue the investigation, moving in on Masters who, while long been suspected of making counterfeit currency for years, has never actually been tied directly to any "funny money." Chance becomes obsessed with catching Masters, dragging himself and his new partner into several situations that cross the line of legality in order to create convincing undercover identities that will allow them to close the case. Also starring John Turturro, Darlanne Fluegel, and Robert Downey Sr. The film also features Friedkin's attempt to one-up the chase scene from "The French Connection," although some doubt he succeeded. Plus, the trio reveal which two horror anthologies they've chosen for the next pairing!