Calling a movie like “L.A. Confidential” complex is a bit like calling the surface of the sun hot. Sure, it describes it, but not well enough.

It has the same complexity of “Pulp Fiction” and “The Usual Suspects.” In other words, you have to pay attention.

This movie has a lot of elements. It has sleazy tabloid journalism, illegal drug dealings, crooked cops on the take and high-price hookers made-up to look like movie stars.

There’s also organized crime, police brutality, racism, mob hit men, wife beating, a jail-house riot and lots and lots of booze.

Oh, did I mention it’s Christmas Eve?

And that’s just the first twenty minutes of the movie.

There’s a lot of details to keep track of in “L.A. Confidential.” Finally, here’s a film that hasn’t been dumbed-down for easier viewing.

The time is the 1950s, the place is Los Angeles. It’s practically a paradise, but beneath the surface boils trouble.

A shooting spree at an all-night diner sets in motion an investigation which uncovers more than the detectives involved had bargained for. Much more.

The movie also has a fantastic ensemble cast. There are some big names as well as newcomers. Kevin Spacey (one of my personal favorites) is celebrity cop Jack Vincennes.

He’s an LAPD narcotics officer who takes money from a tabloid journalist (Danny DeVito) to set up Hollywood arrests. Spacey is, as always, so smooth you can’t even tell he’s acting.

One performance that really stood out for me was that of newcomer Russell Crowe as officer Bud White. He gives dimension to what first appears to be a simple thug cop. Crowe has a real screen presence, a sort of quiet intensity that makes it impossible not to pay attention to him.

All the characters in the movie are given some depth. I can’t believe it — a movie with actual character development. Pinch me because I must be dreaming.

So, there’s a huge cast to keep track of. Plus there are sub-plots inside sub-plots. A huge assortment of seemingly unrelated events and details in fact all end up leading to the same place. Everything that happens seems to matter.

But don’t worry. In the end, all the seemingly random elements click and it all makes sense. It makes you hit your head and say “Oh, now why didn’t I figure that out?”

Aside from a lull in the middle of the movie and a few minor plot points which seemed a bit too convenient, “L.A. Confidential” is a nearly perfect movie. You end up paying attention because you want to, not because you feel you have to.

Now, a warning for those of you with weak bladders. You know who you are — he ones who have to head to the bathroom after every beer.

If you are one of those people, do not order a drink at the snack bar. Because if you leave to take care of business, you’ll be lost when you get back.

4 1/2 stars out of five.

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Mike Milik is a senior in advertising from West Des Moines.