Plot: What’s it about?
Prior to its May release date, I was eagerly awaiting The Nice Guys. In fact, I’d argue it was one of my most anticipated movies this past summer. It seemed like a sure thing as well. It takes place in L.A. in the 70’s, has two great actors in the lead, a director worthy of this type of film, and just seemed like a lot of fun. The critics were also mostly accepting of the film as well. Sadly, it was overlooked at the Box Office, but did it deserve such a fate? Is it an overlooked gem? Did it live up to my expectations? Well yes and no. I’ll elaborate in the next paragraph, but while the film can be a lot of fun at times, the plot is also overly complicated and tends to get in the way of the fun. So while I ultimately won’t call it a must see, it’s also not a complete dud either.
A girl named Amelia (Margaret Qualley) is missing, and an under-the-radar Detective is asked to find her. Russel Crowe plays Jackson Healy. He gets things done and doesn’t take any nonsense from anyone. We’re also introduced to another Detective by the name of Holland March (Ryan Gosling). He’s struggling somewhat and has a young daughter. We eventually learn that Holland lost his wife, and has been trying to cope with that. He drinks and smokes a lot, and his daughter helps try to keep him in line. Eventually, Holland and Jackson cross paths. They have an altercation which results in Holland having his arm fractured. Eventually these two help each other try to find Amelia. The plot gets further complicated when Judith Kutner (Kim Basinger) steps in. She’s Amelia’s mother, and she may or may not know more than she lets on. There’s a lot more going on in the plot than I care to explain, but that’s ultimately the film’s undoing. What works so well for a while is the simplicity of the plot. This way it lets the chemistry between Gosling and Crowe shine through. It’s not so much fun when the plot gets in the way.
After two viewings of Nice Guys, I can still give a mild recommendation, but I can’t help but feel the film could and should have been so much more. For one, the addition of Holland’s daughter takes away too much. The plot strays too often to get into why Holland is the way he is. I wish that element would’ve been left out altogether. It turns into melodrama territory. The daughter thrown in, especially to help the detectives solve their case is also too much as well. This is not her movie, so we really didn’t need that much of her character. It’s not that the actress is bad, it just feels like an unnecessary distraction. Still, the film works just well enough on the chemistry of Crowe and Gosling to skate by.
Video: How’s it look?
It’s always nice to see a period movie and look at the outfits (costumes) included within. I’d just watched The French Connection the other day and as a movie that was actually shot in the 70’s there are some obvious differences. Still, you can’t blame Hollywood for trying to go for the camp look and, admittedly, it works here. The 2.40:1 AVC HD image sparkles from beginning to end. The perpetual facial hair by both Gosling and Crowe gives a very good indication of the level of detail. The prints on the ties and shirts are prevalent and some of the cars, etc. look good as well. Contrast is strong and solid, black levels are consistent and the overall color palette, though littered with browns and oranges, is indicative of what a new to Blu-ray film should look like.
Audio: How’s it sound?
Likewise, the very active DTS HD Master Audio soundtrack has a few moments constant with the “buddy cop” genre and while it won’t go down as one of the best of the year, it’s playful yet powerful enough to turn a few heads. Vocals are pure and crisp, Crowe’s deep and grungy voice takes front and center. The front stage shoulders the burden of most of the action, but LFE and surrounds are used well and to good extent. It’s a nice, “complete” mix if you will that’s sure to please.
Supplements: What are the extras?
DVD Extra
- Always Bet On Black – If you’re familiar with the old Wesley Snipes movie Passenger 57 (or if you’re familiar with Wesley Snipes, period) then this might give you a brief chuckle. This is a pretty stock offering with some interviews with the cast and crew as well as some behind the scenes footage.
Blu-Ray Exclusive
- Worst. Detectives. Ever. Making The Nice Guys – Pretty much the same thing as the other featurette, some candid interviews with Crowe and Gosling as well as some more behind the scenes footage. They kind of missed the boat with the (lack) of supplemental material here.
The Bottom Line
Though the film got good reviews, it kind of stalled at the box office. I’ve always been a fan of Shane Black and his offbeat films (I still watch Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang about once a year). Crowe and Gosling make an odd, yet likable pair and they’re in rare form here. The Blu-ray, though lacking in supplemental material, looks and sounds good and should make for a good viewing.
