‘To Live and Die in L.A.’ With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Sean Fennessey - The Rewatchables Recap
Podcast: The Rewatchables
Published: 2026-03-17
What Happened
William Friedkin's 'To Live and Die in L.A.' is noted for its exploration of moral ambiguity, with no clear good characters, as highlighted by Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Sean Fennessey. Friedkin, known for 'The French Connection' and 'The Exorcist,' made this film after two commercial failures. It was shot on a $6 million budget and grossed $17 million, though its release was overshadowed by 'Miami Vice.'
William Petersen and Willem Dafoe were relatively unknown actors at the time. Petersen later declined roles in 'Goodfellas' and 'Heat,' but went on to a successful career with 'Manhunter' and 'CSI.' Dafoe, with four Oscar nominations and 163 IMDB credits, lost the Joker role to Jack Nicholson but starred in notable films like 'Platoon' and 'Spider-Man.'
The film's car chase scene, considered one of the best alongside 'Bullet' and 'Ronin,' took six weeks to shoot. It was the last scene filmed to ensure enough footage was available in case of accidents. Roger Ebert awarded the film four stars, praising its direction and the iconic chase sequence.
The counterfeit money created for the movie found its way into circulation, prompting attention from the Secret Service. Friedkin's decision to depict the U.S. Secret Service and counterfeiting was influenced by a personal experience of falling asleep at the wheel in 1963, leading to the film's unique car chase against traffic.
The film's setting offers a nostalgic portrayal of Los Angeles, captured in fringe areas rather than typical Hollywood locations. The soundtrack, composed by Wang Chung, added to the film's gritty and unpolished 80s crime drama aesthetic. Despite its critical acclaim, Friedkin's agent fired him after the film's release.
'Chris Ryan Month' on The Rewatchables included 'To Live and Die in L.A.' and 'Sicario,' showcasing films with complex narratives and moral themes. The podcast also considered the potential for a modern remake or TV adaptation of the film, reflecting on its artistic and cultural significance.
The movie's alternative ending involved characters being exiled to an Alaskan Secret Service base, which was ultimately not used. The episode reflects on how 'To Live and Die in L.A.' predated 'Lethal Weapon' with the iconic line 'I'm getting too old for this shit.'
Key Insights
- William Friedkin's 'To Live and Die in L.A.' grossed $17 million against a $6 million budget, despite being overshadowed by 'Miami Vice.' The film explored moral ambiguity with no clear heroes, and its release was a comeback for Friedkin after previous failures.
- William Petersen and Willem Dafoe, relatively unknown at the time, starred in the film. Petersen later achieved success with 'CSI,' while Dafoe, with four Oscar nominations, balanced roles in mainstream and art house films.
- The film's car chase scene is iconic, taking six weeks to shoot. Roger Ebert praised it, and the counterfeit money featured in the movie caught the attention of the Secret Service after some bills entered circulation.
- The movie's portrayal of Los Angeles focused on fringe areas, avoiding typical Hollywood settings. The soundtrack by Wang Chung contributed to its gritty 80s crime drama vibe, despite Friedkin initially resisting a titular song.