• Home
  • Commentary
  • Movies
  • TV
  • Theater
  • About
Menu

Pop Culture Commentary

Street Address
City, State, Zip
Phone Number

Your Custom Text Here

Pop Culture Commentary

  • Home
  • Commentary
  • Movies
  • TV
  • Theater
  • About

The Nice Guys

June 20, 2016 Hunter Isham

A Colorful, Funny Throwback to the Action Comedies of Yesteryear

Writer-director Shane Black, the creator of Lethal Weapon, returns to his Los Angeles murder mystery, buddy comedy roots with The Nice Guys. It's a colorful action comedy about the hunt for the missing Amelia (Margaret Qualley), led by enforcer Jackson Healy (Russell Crowe) and his reluctant partner (and one-time target), neer-do-well P.I. Holland March (Ryan Gosling). Black's trademark repartee is a joy to behold in the hands of Gosling and Crowe, who make March and Healy a team brimming with personality against the colorful backdrop of 1970s L.A. Though The Nice Guys doesn't reinvent the wheel, it rolls along smoothly for an entertaining ride.

The script, co-written by Black and Anthony Bagarozzi, is one of the film's greatest assets, weaving a mystery about murder and corruption for March and Healy to solve while making Los Angeles an outright character in the film. L.A. is often a shooting location for films and TV shows, whether as itself or standing in for another place, but many productions fail to capture the city's personality in putting it on screen. (Most notably the TV shows that want us to believe L.A. is actually San Francisco or New York, even with all the palm trees, and therefore fail to make the onscreen city feel authentic even as itself let alone some other place.) We see the hills, the Valley, the iconic L.A. City Hall, and—most fittingly for 70s Los Angeles—the adult film industry, all of which add color to the story and make the setting essential. The Nice Guys couldn't be set in Boston or Chicago.

Inhabiting this distinctive rendering of the city are Gosling and Crowe, each at their best with this lighter fare. Gosling makes March a weaselly, cowardly detective who constantly stumbles his way forward in a case (think of him as an alcoholic Inspector Clouseau). Crowe, so often the heavy, or at the very least serious, appears to have a lot of fun with the personable yet formidable Healy. He's a poker-faced man with a light touch.

The only cast member who manages to steal scenes from Gosling and Crowe is Angourie Rice, who plays March's teenage daughter Holly, who most certainly is the brains in her household. Black continues his streak from Iron Man 3 of neither making the "cute kid sidekick" too plucky nor too cloying, and Rice makes for the perfect foil to March and Healy. The rest of the cast is stacked with excellent performers, from the villainous Keith David and Matt Bomer to district attorney Kim Basinger, and they all make decent impressions while onscreen (David is underused), though the film belongs to Gosling, Crowe and Rice.

On the action front, Black doesn't do anything particularly wowing—and the same goes for the stylish cinematography, save for one great shot where March finds a dead body by accident—but all the fist fights and shootouts are easy to follow and are fun to watch more because of the characters in them than how slickly they're staged. The Nice Guys is filled with hilarious characters and atmospheric situations and locations, and it's those elements that make it such a joy to watch. Action comedies like Lethal Weapon are in short supply these days (unless the protagonists are wearing spandex), so it's a real treat to get one that works so well from a master of the genre.

 

Note: I left my screening of The Nice Guys entertained, but also whelmed (neither over- nor under-). I had seen the various trailers for the film so many times before seeing the actual movie, many of its best jokes were spoiled for me (the repeat viewing made it easy to remember the lines/sight-gags). So if, like me, you've seen A LOT of promotional material for The Nice Guys, don't be surprised if you feel like you've already seen the best parts, because in many cases you have.

← WarcraftMoney Monster →
  • July 2020
    • Jul 16, 2020 Julie & Julia Jul 16, 2020
  • May 2020
    • May 8, 2020 A Man for All Seasons May 8, 2020
  • November 2019
    • Nov 8, 2019 The Irishman Nov 8, 2019
    • Nov 8, 2019 Doctor Sleep Nov 8, 2019
    • Nov 8, 2019 El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie Nov 8, 2019
    • Nov 7, 2019 Dolemite Is My Name Nov 7, 2019
    • Nov 7, 2019 Marriage Story Nov 7, 2019
    • Nov 7, 2019 Gemini Man Nov 7, 2019
    • Nov 7, 2019 Judy Nov 7, 2019
    • Nov 7, 2019 Hustlers Nov 7, 2019
    • Nov 7, 2019 Ad Astra Nov 7, 2019
  • October 2019
    • Oct 9, 2019 Joker Oct 9, 2019
  • May 2019
    • May 10, 2019 Long Shot May 10, 2019
  • April 2019
    • Apr 25, 2019 Avengers: Endgame Apr 25, 2019
  • March 2019
    • Mar 31, 2019 March 2019 Catch-Up Mar 31, 2019
    • Mar 2, 2019 Apollo 11 Mar 2, 2019
  • February 2019
    • Feb 26, 2019 The 91st Academy Awards Feb 26, 2019
    • Feb 15, 2019 Red Dead Redemption II Feb 15, 2019
  • January 2019
    • Jan 20, 2019 2018 Wrap-Up Jan 20, 2019
  • December 2018
    • Dec 6, 2018 Review Round-Up: November 2018 Dec 6, 2018
  • October 2018
    • Oct 24, 2018 A New Look Oct 24, 2018
  • July 2018
    • Jul 27, 2018 Mission: Impossible - Fallout Jul 27, 2018
    • Jul 20, 2018 Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again Jul 20, 2018
    • Jul 17, 2018 Shock and Awe Jul 17, 2018
  • June 2018
    • Jun 9, 2018 Ocean's Eight Jun 9, 2018
  • May 2018
    • May 26, 2018 Solo: A Star Wars Story May 26, 2018
    • May 12, 2018 RBG May 12, 2018
  • April 2018
    • Apr 27, 2018 Avengers: Infinity War Apr 27, 2018
    • Apr 25, 2018 The Death of Stalin Apr 25, 2018
    • Apr 16, 2018 Chappaquiddick Apr 16, 2018
  • March 2018
    • Mar 12, 2018 Should Have Been a Contender Mar 12, 2018
    • Mar 10, 2018 Game Night Mar 10, 2018
    • Mar 4, 2018 An Over-Sized Oscar Omnibus Mar 4, 2018
  • January 2018
    • Jan 13, 2018 Paddington 2 Jan 13, 2018
    • Jan 11, 2018 Star Wars: The Last Jedi Jan 11, 2018
  • July 2017
    • Jul 8, 2017 Spider-Man: Homecoming Jul 8, 2017
    • Jul 7, 2017 Baby Driver Jul 7, 2017
  • June 2017
    • Jun 17, 2017 Cars 3 Jun 17, 2017
  • May 2017
    • May 29, 2017 Alien: Covenant May 29, 2017
    • May 29, 2017 Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales May 29, 2017
    • May 14, 2017 Jeremiah Tower: The Last Magnificent May 14, 2017
    • May 14, 2017 Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 May 14, 2017
  • February 2017
    • Feb 14, 2017 The Lego Batman Movie Feb 14, 2017
    • Feb 7, 2017 Hidden Figures Feb 7, 2017
  • January 2017
    • Jan 28, 2017 Silence Jan 28, 2017
    • Jan 23, 2017 The Founder Jan 23, 2017
    • Jan 23, 2017 Jackie Jan 23, 2017
  • December 2016
    • Dec 27, 2016 Rogue One Dec 27, 2016
    • Dec 21, 2016 La La Land Dec 21, 2016
  • November 2016
    • Nov 18, 2016 Snowden Nov 18, 2016
    • Nov 18, 2016 Pete's Dragon Nov 18, 2016
    • Nov 18, 2016 Sully Nov 18, 2016
    • Nov 17, 2016 Southside with You Nov 17, 2016
  • September 2016
    • Sep 10, 2016 Suicide Squad Sep 10, 2016
  • August 2016
    • Aug 23, 2016 Finding Dory Aug 23, 2016
    • Aug 15, 2016 The BFG Aug 15, 2016
  • July 2016
    • Jul 24, 2016 Star Trek Beyond Jul 24, 2016
    • Jul 15, 2016 Ghostbusters (2016) Jul 15, 2016
  • June 2016
    • Jun 29, 2016 Independence Day: Resurgence Jun 29, 2016
    • Jun 28, 2016 Now You See Me 2 Jun 28, 2016
    • Jun 28, 2016 Weiner Jun 28, 2016
    • Jun 20, 2016 Warcraft Jun 20, 2016
    • Jun 20, 2016 The Nice Guys Jun 20, 2016
    • Jun 11, 2016 Money Monster Jun 11, 2016
    • Jun 3, 2016 Pinocchio Jun 3, 2016
  • May 2016
    • May 9, 2016 Captain America: Civil War May 9, 2016
    • May 9, 2016 A Hologram for the King May 9, 2016
    • May 9, 2016 On the Waterfront May 9, 2016
    • May 5, 2016 Goldfinger May 5, 2016
  • April 2016
    • Apr 18, 2016 The Jungle Book Apr 18, 2016
    • Apr 18, 2016 City of Gold Apr 18, 2016
    • Apr 7, 2016 Eye in the Sky Apr 7, 2016
    • Apr 5, 2016 Zootopia Apr 5, 2016
  • March 2016
    • Mar 27, 2016 Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Mar 27, 2016
    • Mar 27, 2016 10 Cloverfield Lane Mar 27, 2016
    • Mar 27, 2016 Rebecca Mar 27, 2016
    • Mar 10, 2016 Whiskey Tango Foxtrot Mar 10, 2016
  • February 2016
    • Feb 15, 2016 Deadpool Feb 15, 2016
    • Feb 10, 2016 Hail, Caesar! Feb 10, 2016
  • January 2016
    • Jan 17, 2016 The Revenant Jan 17, 2016
    • Jan 4, 2016 Concussion Jan 4, 2016
    • Jan 4, 2016 Carol Jan 4, 2016
    • Jan 3, 2016 The Hateful Eight Jan 3, 2016
  • December 2015
    • Dec 29, 2015 The Big Short Dec 29, 2015
    • Dec 23, 2015 Trumbo Dec 23, 2015
    • Dec 23, 2015 The Peanuts Movie Dec 23, 2015
    • Dec 18, 2015 Star Wars: The Force Awakens Dec 18, 2015
    • Dec 14, 2015 Brooklyn Dec 14, 2015
  • November 2015
    • Nov 16, 2015 Spotlight Nov 16, 2015
    • Nov 6, 2015 Spectre Nov 6, 2015
    • Nov 1, 2015 Truth Nov 1, 2015
  • October 2015
    • Oct 29, 2015 The Story Behind 'Toy Story' Oct 29, 2015
    • Oct 19, 2015 Bridge of Spies Oct 19, 2015
    • Oct 18, 2015 Steve Jobs Oct 18, 2015
    • Oct 3, 2015 Black Mass Oct 3, 2015
    • Oct 2, 2015 The Martian Oct 2, 2015
  • August 2015
    • Aug 9, 2015 Mr. Holmes Aug 9, 2015
  • July 2015
    • Jul 24, 2015 West Side Story Jul 24, 2015
    • Jul 11, 2015 Inside Out Jul 11, 2015
  • June 2015
    • Jun 12, 2015 Jurassic World Jun 12, 2015
    • Jun 12, 2015 Pitch Perfect Jun 12, 2015
    • Jun 11, 2015 Tomorrowland Jun 11, 2015
  • May 2015
    • May 25, 2015 Mad Max: Fury Road May 25, 2015
    • May 25, 2015 That Thing You Do! May 25, 2015
    • May 25, 2015 My Favorite Films of 2014 May 25, 2015
    • May 25, 2015 The LEGO Movie May 25, 2015
    • May 25, 2015 A Few Extra Thoughts on Saving Mr. Banks May 25, 2015
    • May 25, 2015 Saving Mr. Banks May 25, 2015
    • May 25, 2015 Frozen May 25, 2015
    • May 25, 2015 The Hunger Games: Catching Fire May 25, 2015
    • May 25, 2015 An Adventure in Space and Time May 25, 2015
    • May 25, 2015 The Hunger Games May 25, 2015
    • May 25, 2015 About Time May 25, 2015
    • May 25, 2015 The Fugitive May 25, 2015
    • May 25, 2015 All Of Me May 25, 2015
    • May 25, 2015 Clear History May 25, 2015
    • May 25, 2015 This Is The End May 25, 2015
    • May 25, 2015 Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol May 25, 2015
    • May 25, 2015 Monsters University May 25, 2015
    • May 25, 2015 The Heat May 25, 2015
    • May 25, 2015 Skyfall May 25, 2015
    • May 25, 2015 Man of Steel May 25, 2015
    • May 25, 2015 Star Trek Into Darkness May 25, 2015
    • May 25, 2015 The Conversation May 25, 2015
    • May 25, 2015 Drive May 25, 2015
    • May 25, 2015 Chinatown May 25, 2015
    • May 25, 2015 Behind the Candelabra May 25, 2015
    • May 25, 2015 Iron Man 3 May 25, 2015
    • May 25, 2015 Beasts of the Southern Wild May 25, 2015
    • May 25, 2015 The Great Gatsby May 25, 2015
    • May 25, 2015 Moneyball May 25, 2015
    • May 25, 2015 Bully May 25, 2015
    • May 25, 2015 42 May 25, 2015
    • May 25, 2015 Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade May 25, 2015
    • May 25, 2015 The Usual Suspects May 25, 2015
    • May 24, 2015 Crash May 24, 2015
    • May 24, 2015 Flight May 24, 2015
    • May 24, 2015 Life of Pi May 24, 2015
    • May 24, 2015 The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey May 24, 2015
    • May 24, 2015 The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey May 24, 2015
    • May 24, 2015 The Untouchables May 24, 2015
    • May 24, 2015 A Good Day to Die Hard May 24, 2015
    • May 24, 2015 Lincoln May 24, 2015
    • May 24, 2015 Argo May 24, 2015
    • May 24, 2015 Silver Linings Playbook May 24, 2015

Powered by Squarespace