Pic: AFPLOS ANGELES: Oscar-winning filmmaker Curtis Hanson died on Tuesday at his home in the Hollywood hills, leaving an acclaimed portfolio which includes neo-noir crime thriller “L.A”. Police say he died of natural causes. Confidential, an adaptation of the hard-boiled James Ellroy novel that was nominated for a tnine Oscars and netted he and co-screenwriter Brian Helgeland an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. It was nominated for nine Oscars, also winning best supporting actress for Kim Basinger.
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L.A. Confidential also starred Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe and Guy Pearce.
In a statement provided to Billboard, Eminem, who starred in 8 Mile, the film based on his life, said, “Curtis Hanson believed in me and our insane idea to make a rap battle movie set in Detroit”.
In an interview with EFE in 1997 during the film’s promotions, Hanson said the movie broke numerous rules of big studios.
Hanson is survived by his mother Beverly June Hanson, his brother Woody, his longtime partner Rebecca Yeldham, and their son Rio.
Hanson found commercial and critical success in the 1990s thanks to films such as “The Hand That Rocks the Cradle” and “L.A”. Hanson’s star-studded 2011 HBO movie about the 2008 financial meltdown, Too Big to Fail, earned critical praise and 11 Emmy nominations. That enabled him to interview major directors, including John Ford and Vincente Minnelli, and he learned more about the art of filmmaking. “I will miss him”. Michael Apted completed the picture, and Hanson never directed a film again.
Hanson’s last film was “Chasing Mavericks”, starring Gerard Butler.
Hanson was a versatile director, whether he was guiding Michael Douglas to one of his best performances in Wonder Boys, or steering Eminem in his only lead performance – a brilliant one at that – in 8 Mile.
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Hanson would go on to helm 1983’s Losin’ It – Tom Cruise’s first starring role – and the more critically hailed suspense film Bad Influence featuring James Spader and Rob Lowe. “I mean if you don’t believe that then what are you left with?”
