I want to play this video game, but I also want to qualify that approval by emphasizing that I hold video games in the utmost contempt

I have no idea what you're basing that on! There's no gameplay in this video

Interacting with the dialogue IS the core of the game. Mass Effect 1 and 2 were largely based on interacting with characters and dialogue and I (and millions of other people) enjoyed them very much. In fact, I can't say I really enjoyed the shooting elements of Mass Effect, they were more something I would put up with just to get to the next character/dialogue interaction.

I think what you meant to say was "The production design in this looks like, 'oh btw we watched LA Confidential'"

Also Mad Men takes place in the 1960s where as LA Noire is set in 1947.

But maybe it looks the same to someone who already chose not to care.

Well, either works. What I'm saying is it looks very derivative

I guess it's good that games are closing the gap movies and TV have on them in terms of sophistication of production design, but it'd be nice to see a game leading from the front. Shadow of the Colossus does this. This studio is very adept at homage, but that'll only cut it for so long.