In a summer packed with high expectations but few real hits, The Nice Guys stands out as a rare gem. This detective comedy had me laughing harder than any movie I've seen since Stephen Chow's Journey to the West.
The film centers on the mismatched duo of private eye March (Ryan Gosling) and tough guy Haley (Russell Crowe) as they search for Amelia, a missing girl tied to the mysterious death of a porn star. While the plot starts a bit scattered, introducing each character’s backstory, it gradually finds its groove, delivering a sharp, witty conclusion. The crime elements keep you guessing with unexpected twists and clever turns, even when the story seems to stall.
The comedy throughout is top-tier. Fans of Shane Black’s Kiss Kiss Bang Bang will recognize the style - situational humor, razor-sharp dialogue, and characters brimming with quirks. The jokes are unpredictable, the delivery is fresh, and the laughs keep coming from beginning to end. I'm typically hard to please when it comes to comedy, but The Nice Guys offers a unique blend that feels both nostalgic and original.
Set in 1970s Detroit, amidst the chaos of pollution caused by unchecked car emissions, the movie throws in a wildly satirical twist: the solution to environmental destruction is... pornography! While the idea is played for laughs, it also delivers a deeper message about the role of art in raising social awareness. The film encourages us to embrace the mantra, "make love, not war," a subtle nod to the counterculture movement of the time. (Vietnamese filmmakers, take notes!)
P.S.: I’m seriously thinking about catching it again next week. Even with some cuts here and there, it’s hilarious, it’s a great stress-buster, the ‘70s aesthetic is on point, and, of course, Ryan Gosling!
Trung Rwo
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