Director: Shane Black
Writer: Shane Black, Anthony Bagarozzi (Screenplay)
Starring: Russell Crowe, Ryan Gosling, Angourie Rice, Matt Bomer, Margaret Qualley, Yaya DaCosta, Keith David, Beau Knapp
Plot: A mismatched pair of private eyes investigate the apparent suicide of a porn star in 1970s Los Angeles.
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: Enjoyable
Story: The Nice Guys starts as we meet Jackson Healy (Crowe) who does the dirty jobs for people, we also meet PI Holland March (Gosling) who is a single father to Holly (Rice). The two end up crossing paths when Holland’s latest case sets him in search Amelia Kuttner (Qualley) who has a connection with pornstar Misty Mountains (Telio) who has famously died.
The unlikely duo must use both their skills to find Amelia as they learn of a bigger case going on as they find themselves being hunted down by John Boy (Bomer).
The Nice Guys is an action comedy crime mystery that we get an odd couple having to work together to solve the case. We get great moments between the Jackson and Holland as they both approach solving the crimes. The story is one you will have scene before with the conspiracy style without being something overly original but it does help make the characters feel like they fit into the world created. The story balances the comedy and action well without going too heavy on either and none of the jokes are forced.
Actor Review
Russell Crowe: Jackson gets hired to beat people up, he doesn’t ask questions he just does the job and gets paid. When his latest job finds him having to send a warning to Holland only to find himself getting stuck in the middle of the case and having to work with Holland. Russell nails the comedy perfectly while going against certain character traits people see in Russell.
Ryan Gosling: Holland is a PI and single father who has been searching for Amelia, he has his own problems with alcohol and has to work with Jackson to solve this latest case. Ryan shows another side to his skills in this role where he shines.
Angourie Rice: Holly is the teenage daughter of Holland’s who joins the odd couple on their adventure to solve the crime. She is wise beyond her years becoming key to the outcome of the story. Angourie stands toe to toe with the big names in this movie.
Matt Bomer: John Boy is called for to deal with the problem of Amelia, he is a deadly hit man that has to come to finish off the job. Matt is good in this supporting role as we don’t see him until late into the movie.
Support Cast: The Nice Guys has a supporting cast that all come into the story working very well with the main story.
Director Review: Shane Black – Shane does give us one of the smash comedies of the year that will be making many people’s favourite for the year.
Action: The Nice Guys has good action moments with the over the top style the film gives us.
Comedy: The Nice Guys has great moments of comedy without trying to be laugh a minute.
Crime: The Nice Guys puts us into the crime story where we join the odd couple solving the crime.
Mystery: The Nice Guys puts us into the mystery of why Amelia is being hunted down by everyone.
Settings: The Nice Guys is set in the 70s where we follow the story and everything work very well.
Suggestion: The Nice Guys is one of the films I do think everyone should be watching. (Watch)
Best Part: Chemistry between Gosling and Crowe.
Worst Part: Couldn’t see one.
Funniest Scene: Party scene.
Believability: No
Chances of Tears: No
Chances of Sequel: Could easily have one.
Post Credits Scene: No
Oscar Chances: Unlikely but could easily be an outside shot for screenplay.
Budget: $50 Million
Runtime: 1 Hour 56 Minutes
Tagline: They’re not that nice
Overall: One of the most enjoyable comedies of the year.
Rating
