Director: Shane Black
By Alex Watson
You always forget just what a great action comedy writer Shane Black really is. Like Kiss, Kiss, Bang, Bang before it, The Nice Guys is an effort that successfully blends the buddy comedy element with blistering action. Crowe and Gosling make for a perfect of fear and loathing and their contrasting personas light up Black movie. A witty and sharp script by Black and co-writer Bagarozzi takes us into a dark yet hilarious 1978.
Holland March (Ryan Gosling) is a drunk and washed-up private eye who is currently attempting to look after his teenage daughter Holly (Angourie Rice). Jackson Healy is a man who is paid to beat up guys to stay away from people. Together the pair becomes intertwined over a girl named Amelia (Margaret Qualley) and soon finds themselves knee deep in a conspiracy. Who is behind these seemingly never ending series of events? And how just do they keep getting mixed up?
The principle strength of The Nice Guys seems for the big difference between the two leads. March is a guy whose moral compass is flying in all directions. Bored of life and fed up chasing scumbags he is forever drunk and borderline neglecting his child. Healy is a man who is angry with how the world has become and prefers using his fists to a kind word. Together this is a pair that should avoid each other at all costs. Both are rough and unpolished characters, refreshing although the edges are never quite smoothed over, they still appeal to us on a broad scale. They cross each others paths early when Amelia pays off Healy to beat up whoever has been asking questions about her. Holly is the catalyst for the pair making nice and her sarcastic smarts are a never ending source of use.
When they are attempting to figure how the death of pornstar Misty Mountains (Murielle Telio) fits into Amelia's disappearance, they soon suspect there is a far bigger picture. Black gives the story a heavy ambiguity and each red herring such as a blue-faced man or Kim Basinger's justice department official could be all or nothing. Conspiracies, goons, and unexpected twists always come out of left field. Healy and March are always one step forward but then pegged back another ten. Constantly bewildered at this series of unfortunate events Black is also unafraid to be critical of the hidden corruption that late 70's brought, in particular, the Detroit automotive industry. Although the story perhaps extends its reach at times, it still runs like clockwork.
For all the excellence of this picture, Black does at time feel like he has added on things unnecessarily. The third act addition of villain John Boy (Matt Bomer) feels tacked on and lacks any real threat. The final showdown at the LA Autoshow does sport some fine physical comedy but lacks the hoped punch. When given such a fine display we are compelled to forgive this oversight. Although he has ruled the scriptwriting world ever since his 80s glory, Black's outings in the director's chair have been few and far between. The Nice Guys is a picture that reminds you of his prowess (oh and the billion dollars he brought Iron Man 3 too). Few have the eye for robust laughs as this man which makes us hope that he returns soon.
Gosling and Crowe are a dream together and their vastly different characters are a riot throughout. Crowe, in particular, gives his strongest performance in some time. A hulking and thumping presence his Jackson Healy is a grumpily funny man.He is also able to give a sense of street smarts which helps them avoid trouble, Gosling is a revelation as the impulsive and drunken March and shows a good eye for physical comedy, especially during his botched stand-off in the men's room. His queasiness at the sight of blood is particularly hilarious, anyone who thought Gosling couldn't do funny please hang your head. Angourie Rice is also a fine young talent as March's witty and bright daughter Holly. Possessing a fine sense of humour to swallow her father's constant misjudgement, she so nearly steals the picture from under her A-list co-stars.
The Nice Guys is a magnificent return to the big screen for Shane Black and will be a high candidate for the funniest film you will see this summer. Just remember when you pay for a job, make sure there are no loose ends.
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