'The Nice Guys' Review

The Nice Guys is a buddy cop detective film set in 1977 Los Angeles. It brings the unlikely pairing of a lackadaisical private investigator and tough muscle for hire together to work on a case to find a missing girl, Amelia, and there turns out to be a much larger conspiracy at play. I won't go too much further into the details of the case since it's best going into the film with a blank slate.

The Nice Guys is the latest directorial effort from Shane Black, most well known for Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and Iron Man 3, and Black manages to seemingly recapture the atmosphere of the groovy 70s vibe (I'll never actually know since I wasn't alive) and match that with a buddy cop detective premise to provide an entertaining two hours of downright fun.

I have to commend the production design team for making what I believed to be a very convincing 70's setup along with the costume, hair and makeup departments for further adding to the authenticity. When the film didn't utilize it's groovy soundtrack that probably should be titled "Greatest Hits of the 70's," the score composed by David Buckley and John Ottman was, as those from the era would say, "far-out." Those familiar with Black's work and style won't be too surprised with what he brings to the table, pure wit.

The Nice Guys' greatest asset is it's smart screenplay penned by Black and cowriter, Anthony Bagarozzi. The two managed to craft an engaging plot that kept you guessing with interesting characters bringing charm, originality, and heart to the forefront. The dialogue in this film is literally laugh out loud hilarious and some of these one-liners had me dying of laughter in the theater. The dialogue isn't just funny because of what is said but also where it comes from, as Black and Bagarozzi craft cunning remarks and expertly stage who delivers them.

The performances from the marvelous cast only enhance these witty zingers. Russell Crowe gets to tackle the beefy role of the rugged enforcer, Jackson Healy, while Ryan Gosling slips into the role of the halfhearted P.I., Holland March.

The chemistry between these two actors is gold and the unique pairing of these distinctly different characters is the crux of what makes the buddy cop dynamic of The Nice Guys work. Both actors gave it their all and were an absolute delight to watch onscreen.

One huge surprise standout was child actor Angourie Rice, who played March's resilient daughter, Holly. Rice manages to bring both comedic gold to the film in the form of her brutally honest remarks to her father and a touch of heart as the moral center. Typically, this type of character would be brushed off as annoying, but Rice has such self assuredness that it's near impossible not to find her character endearing. Trust me, this kid has a bright career ahead of her.

I won't discuss the other actors for fear of spoilers but the supporting cast composed of Margaret Qualley, Kim Basinger, and Matt Bomer are serviceable in the capacity used. Whether it be for a few witty one-liners, villainy, or just to partake in the bizarre set pieces visited by the investigative duo, the cast certainly fill the blank spots in the narrative nicely, no pun intended.

The film has a hard "R"rating with tons of vulgarity, dark humor, and brief nudity sprinkled throughout as the missing person just so happens to be a porn star (don't worry, there's never any sex). Therefore, I feel it's only appropriate for those legally allowed to see the film (Ages 17 & up). I'd highly advise against bringing children anywhere near it.

The Nice Guys is the best original film I've seen this year in a film release schedule filled to the brim with sequels, biopics, and book, video game, and comic book adaptations. The film is remarkably charming, witty, and provides a fresh breath of originality into the film space that I feel will probably be even more enjoyable with a rewatch. I highly recommend it as a must watch for any fans of Shane Black's work or those in need of some quality original content.

Film Assessment: A-