Sean Astin’s Enduring Obsession With a 90s Crime Classic

Sean Astin’s career has spanned decades, marked by roles in two of the most recognisable films of their respective eras: the 1985 adventure The Goonies and the early 2000s fantasy epic The Lord of the Rings. Even those sweeping Peter Jackson adaptations are now old enough to make one feel a bit ancient. In recent years, Astin has been more visible in his capacity as a leading figure within SAG-AFTRA, the actors’ union, but his return to the screen as Bob Newby in the second series of Stranger Things was a welcome surprise for many. Unfortunately, his character’s fate was sealed by a demogorgon, so any hopes of a nostalgic crossover with his earlier roles were dashed, replaced instead by a rather overwrought finale that seemed designed for distracted Netflix viewers.

Astin’s most prolific period arguably came after The Goonies, during the late 1980s and early 1990s. He appeared in a string of films that, in hindsight, could only have been made in that particular era—think The War of the Roses, Toy Soldiers, Encino Man, and Memphis Belle. The latter might have fit elsewhere, but the rest are firmly of their time. After a quieter spell, Astin landed the part of Samwise Gamgee, cementing his place in cinematic history. Yet, despite his own impressive filmography, there’s one film from the late 90s that he simply cannot resist.

LA Confidential: A Lasting Favourite

Astin has made no secret of his admiration for Curtis Hanson’s LA Confidential, the 1997 neo-noir that starred Guy Pearce and Russell Crowe. When asked about his all-time favourites, he didn’t hesitate:

“I love LA Confidential. If it’s on for even a second, I just watch it to the end. I almost want to call my cable service provider and ask them not to show it any more, because it has overwhelmed my life.”

He went on,

“And the performances! I mean, David Strathairn and Russell Crowe and Kim Basinger and Kevin Spacey and James Cromwell… Police corruption, and justice, vigilante justice, and it’s just got everything. It’s just a perfect movie.”

Based on James Ellroy’s 1990 novel, the film delves into the murky world of 1950s Los Angeles, where police officers are as compromised as the criminals they pursue. Upon release, it was met with critical acclaim, earning nine Oscar nominations and taking home two. It also propelled Russell Crowe into the Hollywood spotlight, setting him up for further accolades in the years that followed. The film’s only real competition at the time was the juggernaut that was Titanic, which rather dominated the awards circuit that year.

Astin’s Recent Projects and Ongoing Appeal

While Astin’s affection for LA Confidential is clear, he hasn’t been idle. He’s recently wrapped up work on two new films: A Social Contract, a modestly budgeted thriller, and the intriguingly titled Chili Finger, in which he stars opposite Bryan Cranston. The latter tells the story of a woman who discovers a human finger in her meal at a restaurant and attempts to use the grisly find to her advantage.

Astin’s enduring presence in the industry, coupled with his candid enthusiasm for the films he loves, continues to endear him to audiences. Whether he’s championing the rights of his fellow actors or reminiscing about the films that have left a mark on him, there’s a sense that he’s never far from the heart of the action—even if, these days, he’s more likely to be found glued to a late-night screening of a certain Los Angeles-set crime drama.