The Nice Guys (2016)
For nearly 40 years writer/director/actor
Shane Black (
Lethal Weapon, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang) has helmed several landmark buddy action comedies.
The Nice Guys is one of his best.
Set in a fanciful Los Angeles, a low level P.I. (
Ryan Gosling) has a rough introduction to an enforcer (
Russell Crowe), who is equally low level. They soon team up to track down a missing girl who is an air quality protester that is working on a film combining pornography and investigative journalism which stars a famous porn star who died under suspicious circumstances. During their pursuit they’re somewhat aided by the P.I.’s young teenaged daughter, Holly (played by the adorable
Angourie Rice).
The story weaves in and out, introducing layer after layer of culpability, through Shane Black’s complex maze of a plot. Along the way we’re treated to non stop forms of comedy from slapstick, to sight gags, to good old witty banter. In fact the chief draw of this picture is the delightful chemistry between Gosling and Crowe, whose antics together and singly land just about every time.
It’s hard to imagine a better pairing. Gosling with his boyish affability, light-heartedness, and ease with comedy is reminiscent of the Donald O’Connor of the 1940s and ‘50s; whereas Crowe’s charisma and masculinity comes across the way William Holden’s did. It’s a masterstroke of casting.
The one drawback is the frequent use of foul language which not only doesn’t add anything to the film, but tends to stick out and somewhat compromise it. The movie did carry an “R” rating, but with not much effort, polishing up some of the “R” qualifiers could have resulted in a “PG” rating which would have allowed a wider audience to enjoy the script.
Nevertheless The Nice Guys keeps the viewer chuckling from start to finish, making for an enjoyable 2 hours.
Doc’s rating: 8/10
I just watched that movie a few months ago, around Halloween.
