The Nice Guys (2016) film review

Year: 2016
Running Time: 116 minutes
Director: Shane Black
Writers: Shane Black and Anthony Bagarozzi
Cast: Russell Crowe, Ryan Gosling, Angourie Rice, Margaret Qualley, Matt Bomer, Yaya Dacosta, Lois Smith, Kim Basinger, Beau Knapp

The Nice Guys are showing in cinemas everywhere and is distributed in Australia by Roadshow Films.

Shane Black's The Nice Guys is a hilarious and enjoyable trip back to the 1970's that may not have an air-tight screenplay, but is forgivable as what it lacks in strength of story it makes up for with it's highly entertaining and witty sense of humour.

After the mysterious death of a Hollywood porn star, licensed PI Holland March (Ryan Gosling) and private eye Jackson Healy (Russell Crowe) find themselves on opposing sides of the aftermath. While Healy is trying to protect a young girl involved by the name of Amelia (Margaret Qualley), March is trying to hunt her down. Once the two work out their differences, they decide to work together to help protect Amelia and solve the case that involves the underground film industry and the dark side of the city's government with the help of March's young but wise daughter, Holly (Angourie Rice).

The Nice Guys see's director and co-writer Shane Black working with a formula that has worked so well for him in the past. It is not a formula he exclusively relies on in his screenplays, but the male duo fighting crime in Los Angeles is an obvious favourite for him to have as the basis for his films as we have seen in the Lethal Weapon films and 2005's Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. The Nice Guys is another variation of this with our heroes or antiheroes being a product of the tired, but atmospheric city of Los Angeles in the 1970's. The scenery with it's offbeat and eccentric characters offers a wonderful backdrop to this story of crime and corruption with elements of comedy, action and drama woven in.

While the screenplay may not be as tightknit as it should be with several obvious unrealistic and unexplained aspects being included just to move the story along, this can be overlooked and at times even forgotten. It is the comedy, unrelenting and often violent action scenes and nostalgic backdrop which supports The Nice Guys and makes it well-paced and enjoyable. The film is indeed very funny and is enhanced by the underrated comedic ability of Ryan Gosling. However, the comedy does at times feel forced and not as though it is a naturally flowing part of the scene and yet then there are other scenes that involve situational humour (such as the early scene in the bathroom) which are almost relatable.

The Los Angeles featured in The Nice Guys is one which is very tired. The town was in the period after the Golden Age where much of the glitz and glamour had left Hollywood and what was left over was a sleazy, grimy town that still had a golden streak through it where the fortunate and those still aiming for fame and fortune congregated. The introduction to this town in the 1970's is perfectly embodied at the beginning of the film with the aerial shot of Los Angeles over the neglected and unpolished "Hollywood" sign which was once a symbol of the city of dreams, but by the 70's might as well have been the symbol of a town of broken dreams. Everything from the wonderful costume design by Kym Barrett to the production design by Richard Bridgland and the enjoyable musical soundtrack is perfect for the times and creates a distinct feeling of nostalgia.

In a film such as The Nice Guys which is built around a working partnership between two characters, chemistry is absolutely crucial. Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling work extremely well together on screen and balance each other out perfectly. The two characters are carefully crafted with interesting background stories that explain why they each possess certain character traits. Ryan Gosling's Holland March is certainly the more interesting of the two as he has a tragic background story. Yet in the person he has become because of these circumstances, he embodies the persona of a tragic clown where his unhappiness and instability paves way for comedy.

Angourie Rice gives a spectacular breakthrough performance as Holly March, who is also quite an intriguing character. Barely a teenager herself, she has resumed the role of the woman of the house and supports her father with all his misgivings and doesn't see the world through rose-coloured glasses. Yet despite all she sees, she still maintains an air of innocence and naivety and it is because of this that Rice gives an exceptionally strong performance of this adult in a child's body.

The Nice Guys takes a simple plot that has been seen many times in cinema over the years and rejuvenates it with Shane Black's unique sense of humour and an accurate and atmospheric depiction of Los Angeles in a time past.

7.5/10

Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom
Year: 2010
Director: David Michod
Cast: James Frecheville, Guy Pearce, Ben Mendelsohn, Joel Edgerton, Jacki Weaver

In My Own Words
I just have to say how proud I am to be a movie critic and have the opportunity to review so many Australian films this year. Not only do I get to review them, but I get to tell everyone how wonderful they are! And I am not the only one saying so. “Animal Kingdom”, which is my latest review, premiered at Sundance 2010 and showed the world what the Australian film industry can do by winning the Grand Jury Prize in the World Cinema- Dramatic category. “Animal Kingdom” is a brilliant piece of work. Not for the faint hearted, as people would expect from hearing the subject matter, but still a film that has to be seen. Australian viewers, don’t be fooled, this film is not an “Underbelly” rip off.

Just a side note, it still amazes me how some people can leave their manners at the front door when going to the movies. I know people normally see groups of teenagers as being the main offenders of this, but I find grown adults to be just as bad times. During this film, a lady’s phone went off three times before she realised she should turn it off. Turning off my mobile has become like a ritual for me as soon as I buy my ticket and so many cinemas place a clever advertisement in the preview about turning your mobile off for the sake of others, but some people still just don’t get it. I find more and more people talking throughout films now too, or maybe I just go to too many films so it seems like there is more people falling into this category. All I’m saying is, where has cinema etiquette gone?

These are my own words and here is my review.

Review
“Animal Kingdom” is one of the best Australian films to be released in a long time. Not only this, it is perhaps the best crime drama released this year thus far. A film with outstanding characters brought to life by fantastic acting and an extremely well written script by director and writer, David Michod. Joshua Cody(James Frecheville) goes to live with his grandmother (Jacki Weaver) and his uncles after the death of his mother from a heroin overdose. Although this may seem like a better situation, his uncles are a group of armed robbers who the police are always out to get. As the police get closer and more family deaths occur, life gets more and more complicated for Josh. However, blood runs thicker than water.

What an amazing story and script. “Animal Kingdom” has so many twists and turns that it becomes clear sooner rather than later that things will never turn out the way you think. It is so easy to become emotionally involved in this film with the way the characters are constructed. Although not as hard-hitting as it may have been ( but in no way is it a subtle or easy to watch film), there are many shocks and suspenseful scenes. There is a lack of violent scenes which is interesting. There is violence spoken of and hinted, but no gruesome scenes. Just the hint of blood here and there. Quite interesting for a crime drama. The soundtrack is absolutely superb in the way in which it enhances the emotion of each scene. The opening title sequence is accompanies by music, sounds and also images that create an uneasy air and almost a feeling of evil. This is completely turned around a few scenes after when the family leaves a restaurant in fits of laughter and smiles and the soundtrack has the ability to make the audience see how much the family love each other and even though they are involved in crime, they are just like any other family when they have a good time together. Such an accomplishment in film making.

Unlike many other crime dramas, this film focuses more of the interrelations of the family and those around them rather than the actual crimes they commit. The characterisation is absolutely outstanding. The audience feels an attachment to each of the main characters and shares everything with them. It is a great tribute to a film when the audience feels every emotion with the character and can feel as if they know them personally. In his debut and breakthrough film role, James Frecheville is the lead as Joshua Cody. His performance at the beginning seems a little dry, but it is soon realised that that is all part of his character and he definitely proves himself as an actor as the film goes on. Jacki Weaver is outstanding here. Her role as the optimistic Cody mother and grandmother, Janine has many dimensions. She can be so annoying in her optimism, superficiality and overbearing love for her sons that she is just brilliant. Ben Mendelsohn as Andre “Pope” Cody is extremely creepy and evil, and is easily hated throughout the film by the audience, but he is absolute pleasure to watch. Sullivan Stapleton is also a standout in his role as Craig Cody, as is Joel Edgerton as Barry Brown.

“Animal Kingdom” is a film that must be seen. It is an accomplishment in film making and contains all the factors necessarily to make a successful and well done film. Disturbing, but beautifully so.
8.5/10

A Kiss Of Chaos

A Kiss Of Chaos
Year: 2009
Director: Ricardo Sean Thompson
Cast: Judy Marte, Manny Perez, Michael Rivera, Gleendilys Inoa, Stephanie Ortiz

In My Own Words
Today Movie Critical embarks on a new journey. Not only will we still be featuring films currently showing in cinemas, but we will also be reviewing several films that are being shown or have recently been shown at film festivals around the world. The first film festival which we are honoured to be reviewing films from is the Soho International Film Festival. The annual Soho International Film Festival ran in New York City from the 18th till the 21st of February 2010 and featured many notable films. Among them was our first film to be reviewed, “A Kiss Of Chaos”. “A Kiss Of Chaos” took away the honour of being the Best Showcase Feature Film, an outstanding achievement for director Ricardo Sean Thompson.

And a well deserved award it is. “A Kiss Of Chaos” is completely gripping and full on from start to finish. The major aspect I really admired in this film is that the crime thriller with a strong female character as the lead. Stereotypically, crime dramas and thrillers where the subject of the crime is illegal drugs tend to have male lead characters, but not this one. Judy Marte plays one of the strongest female lead characters I have seen on screen in a long time. For how much she endures throughout her life and especially on this night, she remains stronger than the people around her and does not show any sign of weakness. Phoenix could well be one of my favourite characters of the film year.

These are my words and here is my review.

Review
“A Kiss Of Chaos” is exactly as the title suggests, chaotic in the most amazing way. The film by Ricardo Sean Thompson is captivating right from the opening scene and does not lose momentum throughout its duration. The film is definitely not for the faint hearted and does require quite a strong stomach, but it is to be enjoyed by anyone who can admire great film making and story-telling. Phoenix (Judy Marte) is a young artist who is trying to overcome the turmoils she experienced in her childhood. However, this birthday of hers only makes this harder and makes her life more chaotic. Her wounded trouble maker ex-boyfriend, Angel (Michael Rivera) turns up on her kitchen floor just before Phoenix’s younger and overtly jealous sister, Isis (Gleendilys Inoa) calls for help. The only person she feels she can trust is her best friend, Tiffany (Stephanie Ortiz) who see’s Phoenix as more than just a friend. Phoenix ends up in a web of drug crime and it is unclear whether she and everyone around her will survive the night.

Thompson is indeed an amazing film maker. “A Kiss Of Chaos” is completely original and not predictable at all. There is twist after twist in the film, none of which the audience see coming. It is completely compelling. Just like a car wreck, the audience watches and cannot turn away from watching Phoenix’s life go from bad to worse, not because of her own actions, but because of the people who disrupt her night. The script is well written and the cinematography is also notable. The musical score is appropriate in all the right spots and adds to the emotion of the film. Be warned though, there are some strong themes and images in the film so be prepared to not be relaxed for an hour and a half.

The characters development and acting are also very strong points. The script provides great character development as well as the flashback scenes. Judy Marte is an absolute stand out as Phoenix and perfectly cast. She shows tremendous talent in executing an emotionally tired but strong character. The audience truly feels a connection with her and her strength. The audience also feels a connection with both Angel and Isis, but not as favourable a connection as that with Phoenix. Michael Rivera’s Angel is not a likable character with his shrewd behaviour and treatment of his ex, especially when younger sister Isis steps onto the scene. Both Rivera and Gleendilys Inoa’s characters are not likable at all, a tribute to their acting. Inoa’s Isis is completely crazy and scary to watch.

“A Kiss Of Chaos” is not yet available for release, but if you do get the chance to see it at a screening, definitely go to witness a success. Phoenix is definitely a character to be remembered and celebrated, as is Thompson’s direction. “A Kiss Of Chaos” is definitely a film that does not hold back on issues that are often seen as taboo in society and on screen. Completely chaotic and enjoyably confronting and compelling.
8.5/10