The Nice Guys Review

The Nice Guys

Holly: "You're the world's worst detective."

      The Nice Guys is directed by Shane Black (Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Iron Man 3, Lethal Weapon 2) and stars Ryan Gosling as Holland March, Russell Crowe as Jackson Healy, Angourie Rice as Holly March, Margaret Qualley as Amelia Kuttner, Matt Bomer as John Boy, and Kim Basinger as Judith Kuttner.

Two men with their last names resembling birds. It has nothing to do with the movie, but they have something in common there, meaning they should work well together!

      In The Nice Guys, Holland March, a bumbling and broken detective, and Jackson Healy, a more stern and physical detective, unexpectedly are brought together by a case surrounding the death of a porn star. As the two delve deeper into the case, weirder and weirder events start occurring which eventually lead to something more than just solving the original crime.

Ryan's face is more of what I was doing during the twists and turns this movie took...and then laughter.

 

      The Nice Guys is one of the most original films I have seen in a while. It really is a breath of fresh air seeing a film noir that incorporates comedy, action, drama, and overall, weirdness. Much of that, if not all of it, is due to Shane Black, who directed and co-wrote The Nice Guys. In retrospect, the script was the highlight of the entire film. The chemistry between Gosling and Crowe is phenomenal and I don't think it could have been done without those two at the helm of the acting ensemble. I would love to see these two in another film that is something completely different from a film noir, just to see what else they can blow me away with. When the physical comedy hits, it HITS. I mean, Ryan Gosling's Holland March is an irresponsible detective who really can't die from all the punches or cars that bash him. Russell Crowe's Jackson Healy is more of a serious getting-the-job-done guy, but his comedic timing with dialogue is spot on. It's sort of the opposite of what one may think to see out of these two characters, but it blends so well together. The script brought Crowe and Gosling so that this beauty of a film could be made. Thank you, Shane!

 

Shane Black tried to stop Ryan Gosling from doing a bunch of his own stunts because of liability and him being one of the stars, but Gosling did them anyways.

            While most of everything about The Nice Guys is refreshing and a fun film to see in this era of cinema, I didn't feel as though the tone was all that cohesive. The same thing I liked about the film is the same thing I sort of disliked because there was just maybe a bit too many genres scrunched up: comedy, film noir, mystery, and action. Yes, it does sound like it's amazing and it is, but there was more confusion for me when I saw it because of the trailer. I think the best comedic parts of the movie are in the trailer. Don't get me wrong, the comedy is still hilarious, it's just that there isn't enough to even out the ratio of action and comedy.

The Nice Guys was inspired by a TV show in the mid to late 1970's called The Rockford Files (a mystery crime drama)

      The originality that made The Nice Guys comes from the plot and all the turns it takes. I will definitely not go into what the twists are, but all I'll say is that there are sort of fantastical elements to the story that just don't make sense. I love that though. This is primarily a film noir above comedy, action, or mystery. There just aren't that many film noirs nowadays that modernize the genre to new heights. At times, The Nice Guys feels like a parody of the film noir genre all while being a film noir itself. The fourth wall breaking, the damsel in distress, and the detective trying to help the woman or other person. These classic film noir tropes are present on the movie, making it, once again, a breath of fresh air.

Uh oh. They're looking at you. Put your phone away or Russell Crowe will put you in a headlock!

      The Nice Guys is a film that is more of an artistic film that should be watched by everyone because it's so original. Hopefully the big names like Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe bring in viewers. It looks like the cast and the crew had fun making it and it shows on screen how much fun the film is. Please do yourself a favor and go watch this movie, just don't watch the trailer; go in semi-blind.

4.5/5

PRO

• Shane Black in charge
• Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe's chemistry
• Original film noir

CON

• Uneven amount of comedy to action because of the trailer

The Nice Guys is rated R for violence, sexuality, nudity, language, and brief drug use

Click here to watch the trailer

The Nice Guys is in theaters everywhere now

      Thank you for reading my review, everybody! I really appreciate it. Please subscribe to my blog and follow me on Facebook here and Twitter here to get updates on new reviews and trailer drops. Also, if you've already seen The Nice Guys, comment and let me know what you think of it. Thanks again!