The Nice Guys generated plenty of mixed reviews so I was in no hurry to see it. But a rainy day and a free bag of popcorn offer from Regal Theaters motivated me to see this comic private eye movie. Ryan Gosling plays a single Dad with a 13-year-old daughter (Angourie Rice) who is actually a licensed private investigator. He specializes in finding missing people. Russell Crowe plays “the muscle.” He’s very good at beating people up. Gosling and Crowe team up on a search to find the missing daughter of the Attorney General (Kim Basinger). Yes, there’s a porno movie McGuffin, there’s some graphic violence, and some humor. Ryan Gosling tries too hard to be funny. There’s a giant talking Bee. Gosling makes a shockingly insensitive remark to a mother whose daughter was murdered. The plot is overly-convoluted. And releasing The Nice Guys at a time when audiences flock to Angry Birds, Captain America: Civil War, and X-Men: Apocalypse was a marketing mistake. This film should have been released in October. I’d wait until The Nice Guys gets to Netflix. GRADE: B-
I am off to see this this evening here in old London town – I really liked KISS KISS BANG BANG so assume that the comedic sensibility will be fairly similar?
Sergio, you’ll notice a lot of KISS KISS BANG BANG moments in THE NICE GUYS. Let us know what you think of the movie.
How did a 13-year-old girl get to be a licensed private eye?
Bob, the 13-year-old just acts like she’s a private eye. Actually, she has more on the ball than Gosling and Crowe.
Well, okay, I’ll wait, but I was really looking forward to this one. Like Sergio, I’m a big fan of KISS KISS, BANG BANG.
Bill, I’m sure you’ll like THE NICE GUYS but you won’t love it.
George, I might watch this film for Crowe. He can play a hardball character, like he does in “L.A. Confidential.”
Prashant, both Gosling and Crowe delivery solid performances in THE NICE GUYS. You’ll enjoy the silliness.
Jackie wanted to see this too, until she saw the reviews. We’ll wait for TV.
I do like KISS KISS BANG BANG too.
Jeff, THE NICE GUYS has disappeared from our local Regal Theaters. When I saw THE NICE GUYS last Thursday night, there were 3 other people in the theater watching with me. It was like a private screening!
So no more Mr Nice Guys?
Jerry, I doubt if THE NICE GUYS made enough money to merit a sequel.
Most of the reviews I have seen have been fairly positive so I might still give it a go. I could use a laugh.
Patti, there are a few laughs in THE NICE GUYS. You and Phil will enjoy it.
I LOVED IT. I laughed so often, as did the other 7 or so people in the theater. I’ll buy this when it comes out.
I liked both crowe and gosling, and also thought the young girl was very good. The Kim Bassinger character was the most jarring to me.
I’d give it an A, but I’m notoriously easy to please
Maggie, I’m glad you had a good time at THE NICE GUYS. Like you, I saw the movie in an almost empty theater.
I’m with Maggie. I LOVED it. And I’ll get the DVD when it comes out.
I don’t usually like kids in adult movies but George is right. The 13-year-old is the brains in this group.
And it’s SOOOO ’70s! I wore those high-waisted, zippered bell bottoms too!
It’s violent and funny and has Ryan Gosling. I even liked Russell Crowe in it and I can’t stand Russell Crowe.
Beth, I enjoyed the 1970s look of THE NICE GUYS. And, you’re right: the 13-year-old is the brains of the operation!
Saw it. You were too kind. It reminds me of a seventies TV movie. The car chases are many, the laughs are few. I’d give it a 4/10.
Patti, I wavered between a C+ and a B- for THE NICE GUYS. You’re right about the paucity of laughs.
George – No rush here to see NICE GUYS. But so many commented on KISS KISS BANG BANG that I need to catch up with that one. Thanks for the post.
Elgin, I picked up a copy of KISS KISS BANG BANG for a dollar at BIG LOTS. Inexpensive copies are available on the Internet, too.
George – That’s a great idea. Every once in a while, I stop into the dollar store to see what DVDs they have. Found some good movies that way. (Some duds, too.)