A private investigator, Holland March, and hired enforcer
Jackson Healy have to work together to solve a missing girl case as well as
what seems to be an unrelated death of an adult movie star. While
investigating, they uncover a conspiracy that involves the higher-ups.
Shane Black (Iron Man 3) directs this police drama set in Los
Angeles during the 1970s, and centering on a pair of detectives who stumble
into a sprawling conspiracy while investigating the alleged suicide of a
once-prominent female porn star. Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling top-line this
Warner Bros. release that reunites Lethal Weapon scribe Black with that film's
producer, Joel Silver.
A mismatched pair of private eyes investigates the apparent
suicide of a fading porn star in 1970s Los Angeles.
Set against the backdrop of 1977 Los Angeles, The Nice Guys
opens when single father and licensed PI Holland March (Gosling) is hired to
investigate the apparent suicide of famous porn star Misty Mountains. As the
trail leads him to track down a girl named Amelia (Qualley), he encounters less
licensed and less hands-off private eye Jackson Healey (Russell Crowe) and his
brass knuckles, both hired by the young hippie. However, the situation takes a
turn for the worse when Amelia vanishes and it becomes apparent that March
wasn't the only party interested. As both men are forced to team up, they'll
have to take on a world filled with eccentric goons, strippers dressed as
mermaids and even a possible government conspiracy.
In 1970s Los Angeles, down-on-his-luck private eye Holland
March (Ryan Gosling) and hired enforcer Jackson Healy (Russell Crowe) must work
together to solve the case of a missing girl and the seemingly unrelated death
of a porn star. During their investigation, they uncover a shocking conspiracy
that reaches up to the highest circles of power.
The film is very funny, thankfully, with Crowe and Gosling bouncing off each other nicely. It is true most of the best bits were given away in the film's two trailers. If you haven't seen them, you might enjoy this even more than I did. I would definitely recommend it either way.
ReplyDeleteRyan Gosling in a physical action-comedy? Whoever thought of the idea should be crowned genius of the year. With dynamite timing and uproarious gestures, Gosling mines his diverse abilities and becomes a blast in The Nice Guys.
ReplyDeleteThe porn, the drugs, the smog, the bad haircuts - you can play it for laughs or play it straight. With terrific performances from Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe, Black does a little of both.
I love Shane Black. To me, his writing is on par with Aaron Sorkin. And I love Los Angeles, especially anything set in the past. So this should have been a home-run for me; but I walked out with my heart sunk.
ReplyDeleteWhile the dialogue is sometimes fun and the action is capable, it's Gosling's physical flair and comic timing that's the film's best asset.
There is a bit going on in a wider sense: possible corruption; the power of Detroit carmakers; the related environmental protests. It seems there may be a ruinous political message for the powers-that-be implanted in a porn film in which Amelia was involved. The hitmen want that film and are killing anyone who stands in their way.
ReplyDeleteIt is such fun watching the pair muddles their way through a labyrinth of bad vibes. But to take this mean-spirited prologue at face value would do a disservice to the rest of the film, which is one of the breeziest and most charming comedies in years.