Grade: A
In just about any basic film class you take at IU, more likely than not, the subject of the “Golden Age of Hollywood” will be brought up more than once.
This was the era of film that reigned all the way from the beginning of talking pictures until 1960. Classics include “Casablanca" and “North by Northwest.”
These are all wonderful, of course, and the period warrants its name. However, what about the Silver Age of Hollywood?
At this point, movies became more daring and risqué in nature, thus birthing masterpieces like “Bonnie and Clyde,” “A Clockwork Orange” and “Scarface.”
“The Nice Guys,” starring Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe, is a callback to the Silver Age of Hollywood, as well as one of the best 1970s period films since “American Hustle.” Also, it may have even topped the aforementioned David O. Russell classic.
Written and directed by Shane Black, known as the man behind the “Lethal Weapon” trilogy, “The Nice Guys” is about Gosling and Crowe pairing together to investigate the alleged suicide of porn star Misty Mountains in 1977 Los Angeles.
It also draws together one of the most bizarre, yet perfectly compatible, duets ever.
Who knew the guy from “Les Misérables” and “A Beautiful Mind” could actually be hilarious? Also, Gosling comes across as the driver from “Drive,” if he were raised by Jacob from “Crazy, Stupid, Love.”
They’re not the only impressive performances either. Angourie Rice, who plays Gosling’s daughter in the film, is one of the most impressive child actors I’ve seen since Oona Laurence in “Southpaw.”
The banter among this trio left me clutching my sides and gasping for airs several times throughout the two-hour film. The only other comedies with dialogue that hilarious are “Some Like it Hot,” “His Girl Friday” and “Young Frankenstein.”
The similarities between “The Nice Guys” and these movies are the lightning-paced dialogue paired with gut-busting one-liners and original insults.
However, the differences include the brutality and vulgarity parallel to it makes it more akin to a Paul Thomas Anderson film like “Boogie Nights” or “Inherent Vice.”
It’s hard also not to appreciate the near-flawless action choreography, as well. Too many action comedies either focus on one or another, leaving the other to suffer. This film was able to blend both as beautifully as any Marvel movie.
“The Nice Guys” holds up as the best film I have seen so far this year. It combines the oddity of “The Big Lebowski,” the dimness of “Chinatown” and the exuberance of “Boogie Nights” into something truly spectacular.
Everything wonderful, reckless and offbeat about the '70s is embodied in this film. It’s shot and written in such a way that, if not for the modern filmmaking tactics and actors, it could pass off for a film from that era.
Please, give this movie attention instead of “Angry Birds” or “Neighbors 2.” It is one of those beautiful Hollywood gifts more than warranted for an even better sequel.
afaulds@indiana.edu | @a_faulds9615
