The Nice Guys (2016)

The two guys in The Nice Guys are anything but nice. Holland March (Ryan Gosling) is a sleazy private eye and single father with a serious drinking problem, and Jackson Healy (Russell Crowe) is a hired thug who will “put a hurting” on someone for as little as twenty dollars. The only nice character here is Holly March the eleven year old daughter and the conscience of the film.

The Nice Guys is a classic LA noir set in 1977 Los Angeles with a convoluted plot involving corrupt police, the adult film industry, Detroit car manufacturers, a missing actress, LA smog, and a femme fatale. Like most noirs the plot is mostly there to confuse and amuse the viewers but not to make much sense. The late seventies look and feel adds a bit of fun and nostalgia and the only appropriate setting for a movie with a subplot about catalytic converters.

The Nice Guys is written and directed by Shane Black the writer of Lethal Weapon and writer/director of Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. If you liked his previous movies you will probably enjoy The Nice Guys. [rating=4]

Rated R for violence, sexuality, nudity, language and brief drug use.