To Live and Die in L.A. 1985
Directed by
William Friedkin
Made by
Chapel Distribution
Plot Summary
After thwarting an assassination attempt against President Reagan by an Islamic jihadist, Secret Service agents Richard Chance and Jimmy Hart find themselves reassigned to investigate counterfeiting in Los Angeles. While Chance is known for his reckless and impulsive nature, he hides a corrupt side from his superiors. With just three days left before retirement, Hart undertakes a solitary mission to surveil a suspected counterfeiter, Eric “Rick” Masters, in a remote desert warehouse. Tragically, he meets his end at the hands of Masters and his bodyguard Jack.
Fueled by vengeance, Chance informs his new partner, John Vukovich, that he is determined to bring Masters to justice at any cost. The duo attempts to gather intel on Masters, placing one of his associates, Max Waxman, under observation. However, Vukovich’s lapse in vigilance allows Masters to eliminate Waxman, who had become a liability. Although Vukovich seeks to operate within the law, Chance’s desperation drives him to increasingly reckless and unethical tactics. He exploits his sexual relationship with parolee/informant Ruth for leads, while Vukovich tries to cultivate a relationship with Masters’ legal advisor, Bob Grimes.
Grimes ultimately agrees to facilitate a meeting between the agents and Masters, under the guise of being prospective clients interested in counterfeit bills. Masters is hesitant but eventually consents to produce $1 million in fake currency. In return, he demands $30,000 in upfront payment—triple the legal limit. To finance this, Chance convinces Vukovich to rob Thomas Ling, an individual Ruth had identified as carrying cash for illicit diamond purchases. In a dramatic encounter at Union Station, they manage to seize Ling’s money, but their cover is blown when Ling is accidentally killed during the chaos.
The following day brings shocking news: Ling was an undercover FBI agent conducting a sting operation, and the federal agents involved failed to identify Chance and Vukovich. Overwhelmed by guilt, Vukovich is torn while Chance remains focused on apprehending Masters. When Vukovich approaches Grimes for advice, he is encouraged to turn informant, but chooses loyalty over self-preservation.
Their final meeting with Masters for the exchange turns violent when Jack pulls a shotgun. Both Jack and Chance fatally wound each other as Masters escapes. Vukovich pursues him, eventually tracking him to a warehouse where all evidence is incinerated. In a confrontation, Masters reveals that Grimes had been collaborating with him, leaving Vukovich reeling. Masters attempts to eliminate Vukovich but is ultimately shot multiple times as he succumbs to the flames he ignited himself.
Later, Vukovich, now more informally dressed, meets with Ruth, who is preparing to leave Los Angeles. He insinuates that she had been aware of Ling’s true identity and had been manipulating Chance all along. Despite her protests about needing the money for debts, Vukovich insists that Ruth is now under his command, mirroring the morally ambiguous tactics that Chance employed, fully entrenching her in the dangerous world she sought to escape.
Timeline
Assassination Attempt
Secret Service agents Richard Chance and Jimmy Hart thwart an assassination attempt against President Reagan by an Islamic jihadist. This event marks the beginning of their transition into a new assignment focused on a counterfeit investigation in Los Angeles.
Reassignment to Counterfeiting
After the incident involving the President, Chance and Hart are reassigned to investigate a counterfeiting operation in Los Angeles. While Chance is known for his reckless methods, this is the beginning of deeper corruption that he tries to hide from his superiors.
Hart's Final Mission
With only three days before his retirement, Hart embarks on a solitary mission to surveil suspected counterfeiter Eric 'Rick' Masters at a remote desert warehouse. Tragically, Hart's life is cut short when he is ambushed and killed by Masters and his bodyguard Jack.
Chance's Vow for Justice
Devastated by Hart's death, Chance partners with John Vukovich and vows to bring Masters to justice, no matter the cost. This sets into motion a series of events characterized by vengeance and moral compromise.
Surveillance of Max Waxman
Chance and Vukovich begin their investigation by placing Max Waxman, one of Masters' associates, under observation. However, a critical misstep occurs when Vukovich’s lapse in vigilance allows Masters to eliminate Waxman, eliminating an important lead.
Exploiting Connections
Desperate for intel, Chance takes advantage of his sexual relationship with parolee informant Ruth to gain leads on Masters. Meanwhile, Vukovich attempts to access valuable information through a connection with Masters' legal advisor, Bob Grimes.
Meeting with Grimes
Grimes agrees to facilitate a meeting between the agents and Masters, pretending they are potential clients interested in counterfeit bills. Masters shows hesitation but ultimately agrees to produce $1 million in fake currency after striking a deal.
Robbing Thomas Ling
To fund the counterfeit purchase, Chance persuades Vukovich to rob Thomas Ling, who was identified by Ruth as carrying cash for illegal diamond transactions. The robbery at Union Station becomes chaotic, accidentally resulting in Ling's death and revealing the danger of their tactics.
Ling's True Identity Revealed
The morning after the robbery, Chance and Vukovich learn that Ling was actually an undercover FBI agent. The realization of the extent of their error weighs heavily on Vukovich, who feels immense guilt while Chance continues to fixate on bringing Masters down.
Confrontation with Masters
During the final meeting for the currency exchange, violence erupts when Jack reveals a shotgun. A confrontation ensues where both Jack and Chance inflict fatal wounds on each other, allowing Masters to escape amidst the chaos.
Tracking Masters
Vukovich pursues Masters to a warehouse where the evidence of their crimes has been incinerated. During their tense confrontation, Masters shocks Vukovich by revealing that Grimes had been complicit in their scheme, adding another layer of betrayal to the investigation.
Masters' Downfall
As Masters attempts to eliminate Vukovich, he is shot multiple times in the struggle. Ironically, he succumbs to the very flames he ignited in the warehouse, highlighting the tragic end of a life driven by crime and greed.
Vukovich's New Alliance
In the aftermath of the chaos, Vukovich meets Ruth, who is preparing to leave Los Angeles. He implies that she had manipulated Chance all along and asserts his own control over her, demonstrating his transformation into a morally ambiguous figure.
Shifting Morality
As Vukovich assumes a more informal demeanor, it becomes clear that he has adopted the reckless tactics once used by Chance. His insistence that Ruth is now under his command indicates a deeper entrenchment into the corrupt world they both sought to escape.
Characters
Richard Chance
A Secret Service agent characterized by his reckless and impulsive nature, Richard Chance embodies the struggle between duty and personal vendetta. His corruption and moral decline reflect his desperation for justice after the loss of his partner.
Jimmy Hart
As Chance's partner and a dedicated Secret Service agent, Jimmy Hart represents the conscience of their team. His tragic end ignites Chance's quest for revenge, highlighting the cost of their dangerous profession.
John Vukovich
John Vukovich is a more cautious agent who struggles with the moral implications of Chance's aggressive methods. His loyalty to Chance ultimately leads him into a morally gray area, where he faces the consequences of their actions.
Eric 'Rick' Masters
The main antagonist, Rick Masters represents the seductive underbelly of crime through his counterfeiting operations. Charismatic yet dangerous, he manipulates those around him, showcasing the perilous world of organized crime.
Ruth
Ruth operates as both an informant and a lure for Chance, using her relationship with him to navigate the criminal world. Her character illustrates the complexities and dangers of entwined personal and professional lives.
Setting
Time period
The film takes place during the mid-1980s, a period marked by political tension in the United States and a rise in financial crimes such as counterfeiting. The backdrop of the era provides a lens through which to explore themes of loyalty, corruption, and moral ambiguity.
Location
Los Angeles, Desert Warehouse, Union Station
Los Angeles serves as the primary backdrop for the film, known for its vibrant culture and sprawling urban landscape. The desert warehouse represents the desolate, shadowy side of crime, acting as a pivotal location for illicit activities. Union Station serves as a bustling transportation hub, where chaos erupts during a critical moment in the story.
Themes
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Justice vs. Revenge
The film delves into the fine line between seeking justice and the thirst for revenge. Chance's determination to apprehend Masters becomes a personal vendetta that challenges his ethics, while Vukovich struggles with loyalty and morality amidst criminal activity.
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Corruption
Corruption is a central theme highlighted through the actions of the characters, particularly Chance, who bends the rules for personal gain. The interplay between law enforcement and criminal elements reveals a world where ethical boundaries are blurred.
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Betrayal
Betrayal runs rampant as characters exploit relationships for their own gain. The revelation of Grimes' collaboration with Masters emphasizes the treacherous nature of their world, where trust is a rarity and alliances can quickly dissolve.
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