Factual error: After the car chase in the film, as the car leaves a mess of vehicles behind it, it is obvious that the directional flow of the "props" traffic was on the left side of the highway, as if the film was shot in England. But it was shot in USA. The direction signs on this Los Angeles highway are also not visible to the traffic. Drivers would have to look back to see what exit they just missed.
To Live and Die in LA (1985)
Ending / spoiler
Directed by: William Friedkin
Starring: Willem Dafoe, John Turturro, Dean Stockwell, William Petersen, John Pankow, Debra Feuer
During a set-up transaction, Chance and Vukovich attempt to arrest Rick Masters and his bodyguard, Jack. Jack pulls out a shotgun from a locker and aims it at Vukovich. Chance shoots Jack in the chest, at the same time he shoots Chance in the face; they both die. Vukovich later tracks down Masters at his printing warehouse, which he has set ablaze. During a brief struggle, Vukovich is knocked out. But just as Masters is about to set him on fire, Vukovich recovers and shoots him. Masters drops his lighter and lights himself on fire. Vukovich survives as Masters perishes. In the event of Masters' death, Grimes (Masters' attorney) gives his estate to his girlfriend, Bianca. Without showing much remorse, she rides away in Masters' black Ferrari with Serena, whom they had a threesome with. In the last scene, Vukovich pays Chance's informant, Ruth, a visit, just as she's packing up to leave L.A., for good. He mentions Chance's death, that she knew the man they stole the advance money from was FBI, and that Chance left her with the leftover front money that his agency now wants back. All this leads to a surprise for Ruth: "You're working for me now". And with that, Chance lives on through Vukovich.
Brandon H.
More mistakes in To Live and Die in LA
John Vukovich: So now you want to commit a robbery?
Richard Chance: I wouldn't call it that.
John Vukovich: What would you call it?
Richard Chance: Taking down a douche bag who's trying to break the law.
Trivia: Real counterfeit bills were printed during principal photography. The prop master got in some hot water for this, even though the bills were created specifically for a scene in which Willem Dafoe burns them in a fireplace.
Question: Why does Masters torch some of his paintings? Is it a psychological compulsion? Do they not meet his standards?
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Answer: Masters is a gifted, talented (yet eccentric), artist who captures his mood and feelings of the moment and puts them down in the form of paintings. He does need to sell them, if at all, as he makes enough money from his lucrative counterfeiting operation. He did not need or want those paintings anymore, because they represented past moods or feelings, so he burned them, which is part of his eccentricity.
Scott215