REVIEW: Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe are “The Nice Guys”

Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe are “The Nice Guys”

 

Looking for a rock rolling time at the movies, then go see The Nice Guys starring the talented twosome Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe.

The Nice Guys Synopsis

Set in 1977 Los Angeles, The Nice Guys focuses on Holland March (Ryan Gosling), a down-on-his-luck private eye and Jackson Healy (Russell Crowe), a  hired enforcer who hurts people for a living. They meet because they are both looking for the same woman,  Amelia (Margaret Qualley) who has mysteriously disappeared. Their search for the young Amelia takes them to the seedier parts of Los Angeles and somehow is connected to the death of a famous porn star, throughout it all, they encounter some  violent characters, some shady characters and banter amongst themselves. The Nice Guys is directed by Shane Black, the writer of one of my favorite movies Lethal Weapon.

5 Reasons to See The Nice Guys

1. Ryan Gosling – Hey girl!! Yes,  the man of many memes is a comic revelation in this movie. He really is. His performance is outstanding and really makes the movie. And who knew he was good at pratfall comedy in the Chevy Chase vein. And there is one scene where he lets out a scream that is not so much chilling as just plain LOL, hysterical.
2. It’s a buddy movie – The two main characters, Holland March (Ryan Gosling) and Jackson Healy (Russell Crowe) are pitch perfect and have that “je ne sais quoi” chemistry that keeps you wanting more. This movie would not work nor would you care about these two men without the chemistry of the two leads.
3. Seedy 70’s Los Angeles – Forget Beverly Hills or  mainstream movie stars, this movie shows all those seedy, icky places in Los Angeles we never see on television – the  strip clubs, dive bars, half -naked people and porn stars. It’s all there.
4. The 70’s clothes and Ryan Gosling’s mustache. What is it about those 70’s mustaches? He looks absurd but so 70’s and the clothes!! Yikes, so much polyester and leisure suits.
5. Watch out for Angourie Rice who plays Gosling’s precocious teenage daughter, Holly March. She is just the perfect straight man and is a better detective than her father.

This movie is billed as a comedy and it is but be forewarned,  it is extremely violent in the Quentin Tarantino vein. There is none of that turn away shots when someone is shot. It’s pretty bloody and cringe worthy at times.

I really enjoyed this movie and I recommend it highly especially as we go into blockbuster, popcorn movies. This is a movie that is funny, smart and original.

Disclosure: NYC Single Mom was not compensated for this review. Yes, I pay to go to the movies!!