THE NICE GUYS

(director/writer: Shane Black; screenwriter: Anthony Bagarozzi; cinematographer: Philippe Rousselot; editor: Joel Negron; music: John Ottman/David Buckley; cast: Russell Crowe (Jackson Healy), Angourie Rice (Holly March), Ryan Gosling (Holland March), Matt Bomer (John Boy), Margaret Qualley (Amelia Kuttner), Yaya DaCosta (Tally), Keith David (Older Guy), Bean Knapp (Blueface), Lois Smith (Mrs. Glenn), Murielle Telio (Misty Mountains), Gil Gerard (Bergen Paulsen), Daisy Tahan (Jessica), Kim Basinger (Judith Kuttner), Ty Simpkins (Bobby); Runtime: 116; MPAA Rating: R; producer: Joel Silver; Warner Bros.; 2016)

“Even though a disposable film, it is entertaining as pulp fiction.”

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz

Shane Black (“Iron Man 3″/”Kiss Kiss Bang Bang“) helms an irresistible but muddled buddy comedy crime caper set in 1977, in the seedy underbelly of Los Angeles. Even though a disposable film, it is entertaining as pulp fiction. The rambling screenplay is by the director and Anthony Bagarozzi. Holland March (Ryan Gosling) is an alcoholic P.I. hired to locate murdered porn-star Misty Mountains’ lookalike Amelia Kutner (Margaret Qualley), a young girl who has the hired gun Jackson Healy (Russell Crowe) keep people away from her. Also in the picture is a psycho killer named John Boy (Matt Bomer). The killer wants a piece of Amelia. When the two misfits meet, they team up when they realize two heads are better than one in this confusing situation. Also, there are unknowns attacking them. The boys are helped by Holland’s clever 13-year-old daughter Holly (Angourie Rice). In this caper flick, nobody is as they seem and the plot is incoherent. The leads are drawn into a web of mystery that includes entry into the porn world, the motor industry and the Department of Justice. Kim Basinger plays Amelia’s mother, the chief of the California Department of Justice, and fits right into this wild film.

REVIEWED ON 7/15/2016 GRADE: B-