The Nice Guys (B) Movie Review
The Nice Guys stars Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe as P.I.'s in the 1970s named Holland March and Jackson Healy, respectively. After a young woman named Amelia disappears, the two are paired to work together despite their difference in order to solve the case. Assisting them is March's snappy 13-year-old daughter Holly, played by Angourie Rice.
The epitome of a summer movie, The Nice Guys is a warm film, aesthetically and in terms of humor. There is little sense of genuine danger, though the trio are most definitely injected into perilous situations. It's a light film that seems to deliver best when Crowe and Russell are given room to riff on each other, play off each other, and simply interact. Their chemistry is unending and builds a ridiculously fun experience, even if you may have little idea as to where its plot is.
Unnecessarily convoluted, the film's noir storyline shouldn't be as confusing as it is. The character of Amelia is seemingly elusive, though the film treats her like, as an audience, we ought to know who she is. Oh, Amelia! I know that girl! Her name is dropped abundantly but she herself is nowhere to be found. Perhaps that's the point, though her identity is finally revealed in middle of the film and her intentions, along with the intentions of those hunting her, are clarified. It's a sigh of relief to the viewer and after a good hour, allows the viewer to become somewhat invested in this noir mystery.
The Nice Guys takes on the look, feel, texture, and story of retro 70s detective stories, a vein of culture that is altogether fun but seems unfortunately missing from today's movie theaters. Director Shane Black, who some may know as the director of Iron Man 3 and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, adapts this vintage aesthetic without fetishizing it or glorifying it. The retro visuals of the film feel grounded enough that we can believe these characters and their setting. 70s Los Angeles is a goddamn good setting and it is not squandered here.
Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe rock their 70s costume pieces and disappear into their roles. Individually, they are apparent masters of comedic timing and deliver some degree of emotional heft. Together, they are comedy gold. Young actress Angourie Rice demonstrates a knack for comedic timing as well and never feels out of place among two bonafide stars, quite the feat for someone her age. Her's is one of the best child performances of the decade, right up there with Jacob Tremblay in Room and Elle Fanning in Ginger & Rosa. The villainous characters of the film are handled strangely. Though I'm not entirely sure of his motivations in the film, Matt Bomer is effectively menacing.
The Nice Guys rarely loses its momentum, even if it is regularly maintained solely by the performances of Crowe and Gosling. The script fumbles a few times, once trying to establish some bit about family, though it's executed halfheartedly and ultimately doesn't come to fruition. However, the humor is indeed not lacking. The chemistry between Crowe and Gosling is enough to provide some chuckles but some genuine belly laughs can be found in the film as well. There's one line in particular referring to the sister of one of Holly's friends that cracked up my theater.
The Nice Guys provides a jolt of summer fun, albeit flawed. The noir plot is disappointingly hollow, but the film's stellar cast is too fun. That's the word I keep coming back to: fun. You could do a lot worse.
FINAL GRADE: B
MPAA RATING: R for violence, sexuality, nudity, language and brief drug use
The epitome of a summer movie, The Nice Guys is a warm film, aesthetically and in terms of humor. There is little sense of genuine danger, though the trio are most definitely injected into perilous situations. It's a light film that seems to deliver best when Crowe and Russell are given room to riff on each other, play off each other, and simply interact. Their chemistry is unending and builds a ridiculously fun experience, even if you may have little idea as to where its plot is.
Unnecessarily convoluted, the film's noir storyline shouldn't be as confusing as it is. The character of Amelia is seemingly elusive, though the film treats her like, as an audience, we ought to know who she is. Oh, Amelia! I know that girl! Her name is dropped abundantly but she herself is nowhere to be found. Perhaps that's the point, though her identity is finally revealed in middle of the film and her intentions, along with the intentions of those hunting her, are clarified. It's a sigh of relief to the viewer and after a good hour, allows the viewer to become somewhat invested in this noir mystery.
The Nice Guys takes on the look, feel, texture, and story of retro 70s detective stories, a vein of culture that is altogether fun but seems unfortunately missing from today's movie theaters. Director Shane Black, who some may know as the director of Iron Man 3 and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, adapts this vintage aesthetic without fetishizing it or glorifying it. The retro visuals of the film feel grounded enough that we can believe these characters and their setting. 70s Los Angeles is a goddamn good setting and it is not squandered here.
Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe rock their 70s costume pieces and disappear into their roles. Individually, they are apparent masters of comedic timing and deliver some degree of emotional heft. Together, they are comedy gold. Young actress Angourie Rice demonstrates a knack for comedic timing as well and never feels out of place among two bonafide stars, quite the feat for someone her age. Her's is one of the best child performances of the decade, right up there with Jacob Tremblay in Room and Elle Fanning in Ginger & Rosa. The villainous characters of the film are handled strangely. Though I'm not entirely sure of his motivations in the film, Matt Bomer is effectively menacing.
The Nice Guys rarely loses its momentum, even if it is regularly maintained solely by the performances of Crowe and Gosling. The script fumbles a few times, once trying to establish some bit about family, though it's executed halfheartedly and ultimately doesn't come to fruition. However, the humor is indeed not lacking. The chemistry between Crowe and Gosling is enough to provide some chuckles but some genuine belly laughs can be found in the film as well. There's one line in particular referring to the sister of one of Holly's friends that cracked up my theater.
The Nice Guys provides a jolt of summer fun, albeit flawed. The noir plot is disappointingly hollow, but the film's stellar cast is too fun. That's the word I keep coming back to: fun. You could do a lot worse.
FINAL GRADE: B
MPAA RATING: R for violence, sexuality, nudity, language and brief drug use