Nick & Nicky! Oh my gosh, I can't WAIT for everyone to see this movie. This film is an old-timey murder mystery wrapped in a riddle. And by "riddle" I mean, high-end camp couture gay cult comedy classic! It's literally so much fun. I already want to watch this movie a million times.
At its core it's a murdery who-done-it keep-you-on-your-high-heels type investigation. The main character, Nick (Patrick Askin) is roped into solving the murder of his ex lover's lover and his soon-to-be (adorable) husband, Nicky (Ian Whitt) is not super keen on the idea at first.
But also, like, what murder? A lavish christmas party that only a wealthy gay New York City couple could pull off sets the stage for the over-the-top characters, clever writing, and old-fashioned romance that fills each well-thought-out scene throughout the movie. The first two-thirds of the movie is filled with camp, fashion, Sound of Music references, well-structured jawlines and well-written comedy that the actual murder almost feels secondary in the beginning (Though every once in a while, Boom! You're hit a blood-splattering plot twist).
And the characters: Trevor (Glen North), for example, whose lover was murdered, plays so perfectly over-the-top that it's hilarious. Is it gay camp over-the-top? Or is it exactly the way a 1930's movie damsel in despair would act? It's both and it's freakin brilliant. But the romance between Nick and Nicky is also so reminiscent of those old movies. It's unbreakable and sweet, but layered with the difficult gay-marriage climate of today (though not as difficult now, but still). And there are so many more; the newsie, the twins, the parents! (Oh my god, the parents, you guys), the old lady, the priest. There are many.
The last third of the movie jolts you into chandelier draped dinner party where the mystery of the murder starts to unravel. Thankfully, any murdery plot points you may have missed because you were (I was) chuckling about the funny way Nick holds a glass or the fallacious decor of a clueless old lady (I NEED to see this again), he sums it up while keeping you guessing.
It's an indie movie, and it's out and proud of it. Not unlike the cleverly well-written character-driven Emmy Award-winning show Schitt's Creek, Nick & Nicky was left alone to be what it is and we're so blessed because of it.
It's so much fun, and I can't wait for everyone to see this.
