The Nice Guys Review

Ryan Gosling may be one of the most exceptional leading men in American cinema today. I say that without hesitation, namely due to the guys talent and his versatility, two traits that typically go hand-in-hand. Who else could play a Confident (with a capital C) expert on romance in Crazy, Stupid, Love, a mostly silent driver in Drive and a manic Wall Street heavyweight in The Big Short all with the same level of authenticity and major success? In the new Shane Black effort The Nice Guys, Gosling gets to flaunt his comedic muscles to noteworthy opulence. It's almost not fair to see one of the most chiseled good-looking dudes on the planet also reveal himself to be also be gifted in the areas of slapstick comedy and comedic timing. How'd this one guy get so lucky in his talents??

Gosling, as you likely have surmised (and know if you've seen the movies marketing campaign) plays half of the two titular Nice Guys, the other individual being Jackson Healey (Russell Crowe). A missing persons case forces him to team up with Holland March (Ryan Gosling). Their ensuing investigation soon involves pornography, hippies and whatever other shenanigans screenwriters Shane Black and Anthony Bagarozzi can come up with. The two writers are obviously having a blast tossing their lead characters through a series of unpredictable ever-escalating mayhem and I personally found myself easily wrapped up in their joy.

The Nice Guys firmly plants itself into the world of Los Angeles in 1977, as the numerous music cues of tunes from this era clearly reinforce. What's interesting about this movie's choice of this particular time period is that it feels not at all like a choice done to indulge in some nostalgia, but rather a way to critique the sense of "What happened to the good o'l days?" that inhabited many individuals very souls in this epoch as they saw the constant exploitation of sex and drugs occuring around them. Holland looks on in bewilderment and disgust at the depravity that his daughter, Holly (Angourie Rice), will grow up in. He and other characters look upon this world draped in non-conformity and see the end of the world.

Of course, 39 years later, we all know the attitudes that emerged in the 70's (which were simply extensions of the inclinations popularized during the prior decade of the 1960's) wasn't the end of the world. In fact, the facets of this decades culture once looked upon as the very proof of societies moral decay are now viewed as charming relics of simpler times by many nostalgic individuals. The Nice Guys is very much aware that the attitude of Holland is one shared by many in that decade and in modern times, exemplifying that age old chestnut of how "the more things change the more they stay the same". People always think the new and unfamiliar traits popping up in younger generations are obvious signals of the apocalypse itself.

Now, this isn't a major theme of either the films story or Holland's character but it does demonstrate a level of  subtle substance in the script that shows what kind of thought has gone into the screenplay for The Nice Guys. Speaking of well-crafted elements of this movie, the two lead performances from Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling are exemplary showcases for both actors to shine in environments that they're not typically found in. Crowe, armed with an American accent as deep and commanding as they come, makes for a sublime figure to bounce off the more unpolished character played by Gosling. Their dynamic is a winning one and their individual performances are so good that they manage to thrive even when separated.

While I already dived into the inner themes one can derive from the choice of setting this film in the 70's, it also must be said that the excellent production design stemming from replicating this era would provide a fine enough excuse on its own to set this tale in 1977. A major party (containing women dressed up as topless mermaids which is only the fourth most bizarre thing one will see at this shindig) abounds in color and takes advantage of every visual oppurtnity this time period offers. Colors abound here and you can also tell Shane Black and Anthony Bagarozzi are having fun just trying to top themselves with each new raunchy escapade they can come up with for Healey and Holland to encounter at this party.

Now, The Nice Guys certainly has its foibles, no question. A late in the game character related "revelation" for Healey spurred on by Holly feels abrupt in context and the films enjoyable breakneck pace makes the one or two scenes that stretch on just a teensy bit too long a bit more apparent in their pacing missteps. But that's really it when it comes to examining the downfalls in this total joy of a movie. The Nice Guy is a ton of fun and a film that I strongly urge you to see, especially since this movie allows one to gaze unto the glory of Ryan Gosling in his comedic element.