As film fans, there’s always a handful of films that we allow to pass us by. This usually isn’t at all indicative of their quality – sometimes, like with The Nice Guys, we’re just a little Late To The Party.
Despite positive reviews, The Nice Guys was not quite the success one might think. Even with big-name stars and heaps of critical praise, the film underwhelmed at the box office and quickly passed into obscurity. As such, it’s hardly unsurprising that this one passed us by, but its continued popularity certainly warrants further investigation into the film and the reasons behind its perceived failures.
The Nice Guys‘ story is set in 1970s Los Angeles and follows Holland March (Ryan Gosling), a private investigator who joins forces with violent enforcer Jackson Healy (Russell Crowe). After a well-known adult film actress is found dead, the pair of detectives begin to look into a seemingly unconnected missing person, only to stumble onto a massive conspiracy. Directed and co-written by Shane Black, the film also stars Angourie Rice, Matt Bomer, Margaret Qualley, Yaya DaCosta, Keith David, and Kim Basinger.
The Nice Guys Nostalgically Revives The Buddy Comedies Of The Past
At its heart, The Nice Guys is a classic buddy comedy with a liberal dose of action and mystery mixed in. Its two main characters make for one of cinema’s most tried-and-tested dysfunctional pairings: a loveable incompetent and a heavy-handed and abrasive natural. The dynamic between the film’s core duo is important, but it’s the overall feel of its setting and story that really makes it shine.
The ’70s L.A. setting is realized remarkably well, with the characters’ attitudes and ideas reflecting the somewhat simpler time in which they lived. It’s in this that the film is able to emulate the buddy comedies of that era while also evoking shades of the blaxploitation genre and the hard-boiled detective stories of days gone by. Even within its singular sense of time and place, it’s a film that stands out as something of a melting pot of ideas.
A Talented Cast Perfectly Breathes Life Into Black’s Clever Script
The central duo of Gosling and Crowe are allowed to play to their strengths, firmly cementing their chemistry as both organic and effortlessly funny. Gosling’s undeniable charm is communicated even through his hapless (and occasionally unpleasant) character, and Crowe’s own gruff exterior masks a deeper performance as an enforcer with a heart of gold. They’re perfect comedy characters, with just enough complexity to serve the plot without bogging the film down in needless exploration of their respective psyches.
In essence, The Nice Guys is a film with a clear vision and identity. Its story is fun and entertaining, and its action sequences are realized with appropriate comedic flair. The combination of a deftly-written story and an extended cast of talented actors makes for very enjoyable viewing, meaning the film is thoroughly deserving of its cult status.
Rating: 80%
Summary: With deep-seated comedy engrained in its every action sequence and bizarre narrative twist, The Nice Guys is one of the finest examples of the action-comedy genre out there.
Highlight: Any number of Gosling’s scenes could qualify, but his desperate scramble (and failure) to handle his gun while on the toilet cinches it for us.