Darkmatters Review: The Nice Guys

The Nice Guys (15)

Dir. Shane Black

Reviewed by Matt Adcock (@Cleric20)

“Look on the bright side. Nobody got hurt…”

Meet The Nice Guys, a couple of private detectives who are not afraid to take the law into their own hands. Licensed P.I. Holland March (Ryan ‘Drive’ Gosling) is a single father investigating the mysterious death of famous adult film actress ‘Misty Mountains’ (Murielle ‘The Duff’ Telio) in 1977 Los Angeles. He is forced to team up with Jackson Healey (Russell ‘Gladiator’ Crowe) – an old school tough guy who hurts people for money – when it becomes apparent that they are both involved in the same case, and both in danger.

Together they and Holland’s wise beyond her years daughter Holly (teenage rising star Angourie Rice) follow the trail of a Misty look alike named Amelia (Margaret Qualley) who has vanished. Before you can say ‘this is going to end in tears’ there are bodies piling up, because it turns out, the mob also looking for Amelia and an experimental film she shot called How Do You Like My Car, Big Boy?

Cue a winning mix of slapstick violence, laugh out loud comedy and memorable dialogue as the Nice Guys realize that they might be in over their heads. Director Shane ‘Kiss Kiss Bang Bang’ Black brings out the best of his AAA lead stars, who have excellent buddy chemistry as they tackle deranged goons, unstoppable hit men and a possible high reaching government conspiracy.

"On the case"

The Nice Guys is a filthy, funny and exciting detective-em-up that makes for hugely entertaining cinema viewing. The crackling dialogue and banter between Crowe and Gosling is just delicious to behold and young Rice is a marvel, holding her own and indeed stealing many scenes, she’s certainly a talent to keep an eye on.

The seventies setting is a retro blast with the coolest cars of the decade, the wild hedonistic Hollywood parties of LA - complete with mermaids and copious drugs. This isn’t a film for prudes or those averse to cuss words as the seedy underbelly of tinsel town is writ large. The crunching violence and heavy duty gunplay makes this more Lethal Weapon than Sherlock when it comes to crime solving double acts.

"Never mind the authentic '70s posters"

By the time the end credits roll it is sad to say farewell to these likeable Nice Guys and I’m already hoping we’ll see them in action again before too long!

"Father and daughter team"

Out of a potential 5 you have to go with a Darkmatters:

öööö

(4 - They're not that nice, but they are FUN )...

Awesomeness öööö – Super strong buddy detective noir comedy fun

Laughs öööö – Excellent comedy banter

Horror ööö –  Gets a bit violent in places

Spiritual Enlightenment ööö – trust your pals