Curtis Hanson

The Profile

Curtis Hanson (March 24, 1945 – September 20, 2016) was an American film director, producer and screenwriter known for films such as L.A. Confidential and for directing the HBO dramatization Too Big to Fail (Italian: Il crollo dei giganti).

L.A. Confidential (1997) earned critical acclaim and Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actress (Kim Basinger) and Best Adapted Screenplay (1998, shared by Curtis Hanson and Brian Helgeland). Hanson directed feature films and television projects and was active from the 1970s until his death in 2016.

DeBaser reviews praise Curtis Hanson for L.A. Confidential as a modern noir centerpiece and for directing the HBO drama Il crollo dei giganti (Too Big to Fail). Critics highlight strong ensemble casts, tight screenwriting, and effective cinematography. Both reviews judge Hanson a skilled storyteller who balances complexity and entertainment.