Spoilers wanted something fun to watch.

I do like watching action films. Reviewing sometimes feels uninspired because technically the point is not the storyline and they often fail in the continuity and the logic department. However, I can’t deny that they usually prioritize the entertainment factor, so when they manage to do that plus give me a half decent plot, I’m all for playing along and just have fun. Start up the muscle car, we’re off.

(Credit: Warner Bros)

The Nice Guys (2016) is directed by Shane Black who wrote it with Anthony Bagarozzi. Welcome to LA, circa 1977. Jackson Healy (Russell Crowe) is a strongman for hire. He gets paid for chasing off creeps and perverts that stalk other people. He crosses paths with Holland March (Ryan Gosling) a sneaky PI that wimps out easily but somehow gets jobs done so he can support his kid daughter Holly (Angourie Rice). Eventually Healy and March must work together to find Amelia (Margaret Qualley), who seems to be on the run from some very nasty people.

Technically, I could spoil the entire plot and I wouldn’t be telling you anything about the movie. The star of the show is definitely the era of 1977 Los Angeles, with its glamour, sports cars and decadent world of crime, drugs, fast cars, pornstars and mindless action. Crowe plays Healy as the stoic muscle that breaks faces and kicks downs doors. Gosling is the perfect counterpart as the cowardly detective March, who seems to get into more trouble than he solves, with his daughter Holly filling in the blanks for anything he misses. Gosling steals every scene he’s in.

It works amazingly well. Entertainment-wise, it’s golden. Most of that can the attributed to the chemistry between its two lead actors, with Crowe playing the straight man to Gosling’s funny antics. I can’t help but think that Gosling is doing most of the heavy lifting here. There’s a lot to be said for framing this movie in the late 70s era, with well-crafted set design and establishing shots. With the mystery surrounding an adult film, the movie also doesn’t shy away of showing female nudity, whether needed or not. Then again, the violence involved should keep families away from this one. Strangely enough, the humour is very clean for the most part.

Highly recommended with reservations. The film is rather nihilistic, showing off the carefree attitude of the era but also taking advantage of it. The comedic timing and the entertainment factor score very high, mostly due to the chemistry of Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling. It also captures the energy of the late 70s very effectively. Definitely a must watch.

That will do for now.