Friday, May 20, 2016

The Nice Guys Movie Review

Russell Crowe & Ryan Gosling (r) star in The Nice Guys

How Do You Like Me Now, Big Boy?

Rotten Tomatoes Plot: Shane Black (Iron Man 3) directs this police drama set in Los Angeles during the 1970s, and centering on a pair of detectives who stumble into a sprawling conspiracy while investigating the alleged suicide of a once-prominent female porn star. Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling top-line this Warner Bros. release that reunites Lethal Weapon scribe Black with that film's producer, Joel Silver.


Crowe observes, "Something funny's going on." True dat, Russell: The Nice Guys is a literal barrell of laughs and a welcome update to the buddy cop genre. Polar opposites, Crowe & Gosling take time to click; but once they do, fireworks ensue. Crowe provides the muscle and cynicism, "Marriage is buying a house for someone you hate," while Gosling dazzles with dynamic physical comedy, rampant irreverence and a dead-on Lou Costello impression. No wonder everyone loves him (including dogs.) Expect to laugh (a lot) and look out for Aussie up-and-comer Angourie Rice, who's absolutely terrific as Gosling's charismatic teenage daughter.

Grade: B