Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang (2005)

A murder mystery brings together a private eye, a struggling actress, and a thief masquerading as an actor.

Director:

Shane Black

Writers:

Brett Halliday (novel), Shane Black (screen story)

Stars:

Robert Downey Jr., Val Kilmer, Michelle Monaghan

5 wins & 16 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robert Downey Jr.	...	Harry Lockhart
Val Kilmer	...	Gay Perry
Michelle Monaghan	...	Harmony Faith Lane
Corbin Bernsen	...	Harlan Dexter
Dash Mihok	...	Mr. Frying Pan
Larry Miller	...	Dabney Shaw
Rockmond Dunbar	...	Mr. Fire
Shannyn Sossamon	...	Pink Hair Girl
Angela Lindvall	...	Flicka
Indio Falconer Downey	...	Harry Lockhart - Age 9
Ariel Winter	...	Harmony Faith Lane - Age 7
Duane Carnahan	...	Chainsaw Kid
Josh Richman	...	Richie
Martha Hackett	...	Pistol Woman
Nancy Fish	...	N.Y. Casting Woman

Storyline

A petty thief posing as an actor is brought to Los Angeles for an unlikely audition and finds himself in the middle of a murder investigation along with his high school dream girl and a detective who's been training him for his upcoming role...

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Plot Keywords:

neo noir | actor | thief | kidnapping | nightclub | 

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Taglines:

A bad week in a tough town.

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Mystery | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language, violence and sexuality/nudity

Did You Know?

Trivia

The "lookalike game" Robert Downey Jr. and Michelle Monaghan play at the bar was written in the screenplay with placeholders written in. Shane Black mentions "Bald Kevin Costner" and "Black Patrick Swayze" as examples of these placeholders. When it came time to shoot the scene, he lined up all the extras and found the actors he wanted to use.

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Goofs

When Harry is eluding police in New York City, a Los Angeles MTA bus passes by in the background.

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Quotes

Harry: You remember the one I said that got away, yeah well that one was her. It all came flooding back how I was the one she confided in, the one she trusted, meanwhile she was doing every other guy in school. It was the first time I felt it, how pitying someone and wanting to fuck them can get all tangled up in your head... overwhelming sadness while having a rodney. Is that sick? Hm yeah, I think that's sick...

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Crazy Credits

After the credits, the Warner Brothers logo appears to melt as if this part of the film was left in front of the bulb too long.

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Connections

Referenced in Best of the Worst: Night Beast, Trick or Treat, and Skull Forest (2013)

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Soundtracks

It's Time
Written by: Scott Nickoley, Jamie Dunlap, and Stephen Lang

User Reviews

Underrated dark comedy from a master.

Shane Black is a good writer. Judging by Kiss Kiss Bang bang he is also a fantastic director. This dark comedy is an incredibly underrated comedy and showcases the powerhouse talent of Val Kilmer, Robert Downey Jr. and Shane Black. Laden with one liners and throwaway jokes Kiss Kiss Bang bang should be re watched to get everything in, for only one viewing is not enough. Perhaps this is the reason the film underperformed at the box office. If you are a fan of Robert Downey Jr. you owe it to yourself to watch this film.

Details

Official Sites:

Warner Bros. [Belgium] Warner Bros. [Canada]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 November 2005 (USA)

Also Known As:

L.A.P.I.

Filming Locations:

Monumental sculpture "Double Ascension" 1973 Herbert Bayer 505 South Flower St, Los Angeles, California USA

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$180,660, 23 October 2005

Gross USA:

$4,243,756

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$15,785,148

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros., Silver Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1