2016’s summer blockbuster season is just getting started but is already getting crowded. With competition between franchises getting fierce, is there really room for a stand-alone action movie from an original screenplay? How about an R-rated comedy that is in no way connected to Judd Apatow?
Apparently not so much, considering its unremarkable performance at the box office so far, despite generally good reviews and two big stars. It can be hard to find the time to see everything that’s out there and I know priority has to go to seeing the latest installment of all your favourite franchises but I am quite sure you won’t regret making some time for The Nice Guys.
A thug-for-hire with a heart of gold (Crowe) and a cynical private eye (Gosling) team up to search for a missing girl who seems to be connected to a murdered porn star and has somehow caught the attention of the justice department. And it all takes place in 1977 Los Angeles with an excellent sense of time and place.
After A Good Year, Crowe’s last attempt at headlining a comedy, it’s a pleasure to see one finally play to his strengths. The Nice Guys uses his tough guy image to its advantage instead of trying to make us forget about it. Paired with the ever-versatile Gosling, they are just as hilarious as writer-director Shane Black’s previous pair of detectives in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.
The Nice Guys works because the escalating insanity rarely feels contrived or forced. As a team, Crowe and Gosling are just dysfunctional enough to be funny but competent enough to be almost believable. Best of all, the movie has just enough darkness to it that it’s not easy to forget.
Ugh… I just wish it wasn’t Russell Crowe. The movie sounds interesting 🙂
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I wish that too. I never liked him.
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And I already know he won’t die… Nothing to look forward to 😀
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I was surprised by the casting. I loved him in his prime but have grown tired of him after so many questionable choices have made him barely even relevant lately. I was surprised he’d get the chance at this point in his career to headline a movie with Ryan Gosling.
But honestly, it works. I can’t imagine anyone else in the part.
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I need to laugh – this will help
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Well, there’s something funny happening in nearly every scene so hopefully this will do the trick.
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I low hot & cold on Crowe, not sure about Gosling, will look out for it when it comes through to Sky.
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blow not low. 😀
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Ryan is amazing in pretty much everything. I’ve been indifferent to Russell Crowe for awhile now just because he hasn’t done anything that’s interested me for years. He does a great job in this though.
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Cool, last liked by me in Gladiator, so am glad he’s finally getting back up to standard 🙂
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Who knew these two would have such great chemistry? Two of my favorite actors, great supporting cast (especially the actress who plays Gosling’s daughter) and the added bonus that it made me laugh out loud = perfect summer movie.
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I felt that way too about the “perfect summer movie”. It’s not as big a movie as we’ve gotten used to at this time of year but it just entertains so consistently both as a comedy and an action movie.
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Ha no kidding I wondered about this film , I love Crowe. The commercials just started running. Funny I see the comments and I’m the odd man out;) I like Crowe, and I’m not a Gosling fan… I’ll put it on the list, of go see;)
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I like Ryan Gosling more than Russell Crowe only because he’s more consistent but they’re both a lot of fun to watch in this. If you haven’t seen Ryan in Half Nelson or Drive, they just might change your mind about him. I’d recommend Blue Valentine too but it’s a little depressing.
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Well Matt thanks, I’ve never heard of those movies , but I’ll look around .
A few years ago when every one went goofy over Gosling , I just lost interest , never really giving Him a chance , so thanks for the list .
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Just doing my duty as a lover of film and a proud Canadian. ☺
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Yet another buddy movie–not to say they don’t have their place. Gosling is a natural for this. Crowe not so much. And maybe that’s where the chemistry works here.
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I actually feel like these movies have gone out of style a bit. I had a real sense of “they don’t make em like this anymore” when I was watching this.
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Well, the buddy genre I think is pretty ingrained and can be hit or miss.
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Too much hate in the comments for our Russ 🙂 Have heard nothing but great things about this one – glad you liked it Matt
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He’s a great actor but hasn’t had much opportunity to show it lately. Until now.
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Great post 🙂 I have not seen it yet, but it does look interesting 🙂 This is not the first time that Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling were in a film set in Los Angeles. Russell Crowe was in L.A. Confidential nineteen years ago and Ryan Gosling was in Drive five years ago. Now here they are together 🙂 Anyway, keep up the great work as always 🙂
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Thanks, John. I The Nice Guys actually features an LA Confidential reunion between Russ and Kim Basinger.
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I have heard good things about this one.
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I highly recommend it.
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I really liked this film. I expected just another buddy cop-ish comedy but I really liked the story of this one.
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Yeah, me too. It has a dark cynicism that u really appreciated. It reminded me of an easier to follow Inherent Vice.
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I’m really interested in this one and I’m glad it’s sounding like a worthwhile trip to the cinema! Hurrah!
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It’s worth it. The action may not be explosive enough that it wouldn’t be just as good on your TV or laptop but the comedy is a lot of fun in a roommate of people.
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My hubby and I really want to see this movie…we are both Russell Crowe fans and this sounds like a hoot
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Great review! Was on the fence initially but heard great reviews and now yours so I’m gonna watch!
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Luckily I have a lot of spare time to see anything I want to so I got round to seeing this and I loved, certainly agree that both Holland and the other one are competent and funny enough to be believable.
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I’ve been so excited for this ever since I saw the first trailer. It looks really awesome. Cannot wait to see it. Nice review.
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I’ve been out of town so much the last two months that Gord saw this on his own .. he liked it.
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