Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang showed up at my local thrift store this week and I immediately bought it. It’s been about 15 years since I first saw it. Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang is a 2005 American black comedy crime film written and directed by Shane Black (in his directorial debut). Starring Robert Downey Jr., Val Kilmer, Michelle Monaghan, and Corbin Bernsen, the movie is loosely based on Brett Halliday’s Bodies Are Where You Find Them (1941). This film turns the classic hardboiled literary genre on its head with inside jokes and sarcasm.
The title comes from an essay by Pauline Kael. After seeing a movie poster in Italy which translated as “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang,” Kael wrote, “These four words are perhaps the briefest statement imaginable of the basic appeal of the movies. The appeal is what attracts us and ultimately makes us despair when we begin to understand how seldom movies are more than this.” Well said, Pauline! GRADE: B+
Engagingly off-beat. They don’t make ’em like this anymore — in fact, they never did.
Dan, I like off-beat movies like KISS KISS, BANG BANG.
It was fun.
Jeff, and it still was fun when I watched it again this week. Truly, an underrated movie.
Michelle Monaghan, Michelle Monaghan, Michelle Monaghan. Pretty good script and performances. Michelle Monaghan.
Todd, I’m starting to think you have a thing for Michelle Monaghan…
Michelle Monaghan? Me? Have you heard her say anything?
Well, she seems sharp, is definitely talented, and striking to say the least.
Todd, Michelle Monaghan certainly is talented…and striking!
I read the Mike Shayne novel on which it is loosely based.
I read the comic from CrossGen Comics with the same title but no bearing or relationship to the movie.
But, no I haven’t seen this and, for no particular reason, am not likely to, though it sounds like fun. Plus Todd puts in a vote.
Rick, Todd puts in a STRONG vote.
One of the best PI movies of all time. It’s hard to believe it’s been fifteen years since it was first released.
Steve, KISS KISS, BANG BANG delighted me the first time I saw it. Now, I’m glad I have a DVD copy to enjoy.
But am I the only fan of the movie who has the complete set of four KKBB promotional postcards, done as faux-Mike Shayne paperback covers . . . by who else but Bob McGinnis?
Art, I happen to have a set of KKBB promotional postcards, too. Love the faux-Mike Shayne paperback covers!
Not that I’m bragging but I have three sets. I thought they might be collectors items some day. Well, maybe I am, just a little.
Steve, I’m guessing Art Scott has multiple sets, too.
Which Mike Shayne book seeing that I have them all? I tried to watch this movie once, but couldn’t get into it. Still have the DVD so may try it again.
Kent, KISS KISS, BANG BANG is loosely based on Bodies Are Where You Find Them, an early Mike Shayne mystery from 1941.