re: Are we suppose to like Russell Crowe's character in LA Confidential?

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Why would you post something at all without seeing the entire film?

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because I wanted to and there was 17 minutes left in the movie

I didn't like this movie at all, didn't even finish watching it. Although I think the book, which is fantastic, ruined it for me

It's a brilliant movie. Just brilliant.

I can't say whether you're supposed to like Bud White. At first, no. He is a brutish thug, and he doesn't even like himself. But as the movie progresses, he starts growing and trying to become something more than the guy who just hits people. He reopens the Nite Owl investigation not just to screw Exley, who he hates, but to prove that he's an actual cop. Look at the line the medical examiner had, surprised that Bud White could ask intellegent questions.

In the end, I like where he ends up. He's not a perfect person by any stretch, and he's a barely controlled ball of rage ("Where's the girl?!" /click), but he does value justice over careerism. Yet he's also a loyal soldier. He's a complicated man, who just wants to be "real". I'm not ever sure he reaches it, but his attempt is noble, particularly showing up to help Exley for the shootout. He knows its a trap, and goes anyway, because its the right thing to do.