The Nice Guys

It's an absurdist parody of neo-noir private detective movies set in 1977 in Los Angeles, California. It follows a barely competent, recently widowed private eye named Holland March (Ryan Gosling) and a bodyguard tough guy named Jackson Healy (Russell Crowe). Holland lives with his 13-year-old daughter, Holly (Angourie Rice), in a rented home since his house blew up from a gas leak that killed his wife.

They both become involved in a complex plot in which they try to find Amelia Kuttner (Margaret Qualley), a young woman sought by violent men for unclear reasons. As the bizarre plot unfolds, they intersect with Amelia's mother, Judith (Kim Basinger), a high Justice Department official, and Judith's assistant, Tally (Yaya DaCosta). They also encounter three hitmen pursuing Amelia--Older Guy (Keith David), Blueface (Beau Knapp), and John Boy (Matt Bomer). A porno star, Misty Mountains (Murielle Telio), also makes a brief appearance at the film's beginning.

"The Nice Guys" is off-the-wall with lots of physical comedy that borders on cartoonish, making the frequent violence seem less real. Angourie Rice is great as a kid who's smarter than her father but hampered by higher ethical standards. The script is funny, and Gosling and Crowe carry their roles well. It is pretty sexist. But if you like neo-noir, you may like this take-off.

I'll admit that I am unfamiliar with most of Shane Black's original works, watching The Nice Guys made me want to go back and take a look at his earlier films. The characters were well written, even better cast, and fit well with the theme of the film. There was rare a dull moment, it seemed I was either enjoying the dark comedic tone, or getting engaged in the plot. While the first two thirds of the film seemed excellent, the writers set themselves up for a fantastic finish, but were unable to capitalize on that potential. The script seemed to suddenly turn very basic, with things "falling" into place almost too miraculously to be true. I never felt like I had truly been given an ending worthy of a classic detective story, but the fast pace of the film and humor was enough to make it very enjoyable.

This was an ecstatics spectacle. Ryan Gosling just keeps falling off and tumbling and walking out unscathed in search of the truth. And the beautiful vibe of 1970s Los Angeles is brought it to perfection.

The Nice Guys represents the buddy movie genre at its best. Shane Black is a excellent director and a brilliant writer. He knows how to create hilarious characters and how to put them in absurd scenes — absurd in a comic way. The gags are all unexpected; I was constantly asking myself "What the hell is going on?", and then burst into laughter. The plot could seem weird at the beginning, but it's not the main point in this movie, it is only used to create a context to the jokes. People in the theater couldn't stop laughing. There is a new and original joke every two minutes. Russell Crowe plays his part very well, but Ryan Gosling's performance is already cult. All is in the look in his eyes, and that stupid expression on his face. Two stupid and impulsive men in an outrageous world full of porn stars and guns, fighting for...money. And truth, of course. Always the old truth about some kind of conspiracy (the only weakness in the movie). Hopefully, Shane Black doesn't insist too much on that and concentrates himself on the constant jokes. I guarantee you, you will laugh a lot. I know I've just watched an excellent movie when I feel sad during the credits, because it's already over. And then, it's just pure happiness.

My British/Irish humour puts me at variance with US comedy. This film was funny because of the subtlety and great acting. I rarely like films when a child tags along because often the child behaves with a pretence superior to the adults but in this film the young girl was outstanding and can be taken seriously and believable. This is one easy to follow adventure with lots of funny bits. The story is not the star, the cast and the way they blend is well done. Rarely do you see a film when the whole cast are brilliant.