"The Nice Guys" Review

In The Nice Guys, Holland March (Ryan Gosling) asks a movie producer, "You made a porno and want us to care about the plot?" I'm not entirely sure if the question isn't self-referential. The Nice Guys is '70s porn, a disco-tinted homage to old-school buddy cop films, and as a pastiche, it's damn fun.

In 1977, the death of porn star Misty Mountains (Murielle Telio) sends shockwaves through the Hollywood hills, bringing together two private investigators. The first is Holland March (Ryan Gosling). He's a loose cannon, the type of guy who'll try and convince that he's a "functioning alcoholic." Opposite him: Jackson Healy (Russell Crowe), a man whose wit is as sharp as his brass knuckles. Assisted by Holland's whiz kid, Holly (Angourie Rice), they face off against gangsters, politicians, and the deadliest of all foes, killer bees.

Shane Black (writer of Lethal Weapon and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang) packs every idea possible into a 116-minute script. For the most part, it all flows together, bouncing between points of view, character moments, and the ridiculous (Holland jumps into a pool at one point to chase after mermaid dancers). The movie doesn't stop moving, and that loose energy pushes me through the plot...until the last half hour. 

Black sets up the movie with a clear ending in mind, but after it reaches said ending in an hour, the movie keeps going. I feel like I've signed up to only use so much energy in an allotted frame of time, but the movie takes advantage and continues. While the ending's not bad, by the time I hit it, I'm fatigued.

What pulls me through is Crowe and Gosling's chemistry, which is so natural and so complementary that I never feel like they're acting. Their banter is smooth and quick, trading jabs and wordplay like an intricate ballet routine.

Look for Angourie Rice in future movies; this is a breakout role. The boys' unofficial (and undesired) helper, Holly can infiltrate porn star parties better than they can. She often pieces the mystery together while Jackson's off searching for leads and Holland's chasing tail and cocktails. If there's ever a remake of Inspector Gadget, we've found our Penny.

It's a treat to see an old-school buddy cop movie in theaters, emphasis on old-school. The Nice Guys is a dark, groovy, reckless good time. To see a movie this wild that doesn't feel like something under our current studio system is a damn cool treat. If you want something to watch while your kids are checking out The Angry Birds Movie (which I also recommend, 5/6 stars), definitely give this a watch.

Thank you all for reading. I'm the Man Without a Plan, signing off.