The Nice Guys (2016)

In 1970s Los Angeles, a mismatched pair of private eyes investigate a missing girl and the mysterious death of a porn star.

Director:

Shane Black

Writers:

Shane Black, Anthony Bagarozzi

Stars:

Russell Crowe, Ryan Gosling, Angourie Rice

9 wins & 34 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Russell Crowe	...	Jackson Healy
Ryan Gosling	...	Holland March
Angourie Rice	...	Holly March
Matt Bomer	...	John Boy
Margaret Qualley	...	Amelia Kuttner
Yaya DaCosta	...	Tally
Keith David	...	Older Guy
Beau Knapp	...	Blueface
Lois Smith	...	Mrs. Glenn
Murielle Telio	...	Misty Mountains
Gil Gerard	...	Bergen Paulsen
Daisy Tahan	...	Jessica
Kim Basinger	...	Judith Kuttner
Jack Kilmer	...	Chet
Lance Valentine Butler	...	Kid on Bike

Storyline

Set against the backdrop of 1977 Los Angeles, The Nice Guys opens when single father and licensed PI Holland March (Gosling) is hired to investigate the apparent suicide of famous porn star Misty Mountains. As the trail leads him to track down a girl named Amelia (Qualley), he encounters less licensed and less hands-off private eye Jackson Healey (Russell Crowe) and his brass knuckles, both hired by the young hippie. However, the situation takes a turn for the worse when Amelia vanishes and it becomes apparent that March wasn't the only party interested. As both men are forced to team up, they'll have to take on a world filled with eccentric goons, strippers dressed as mermaids and even a possible government conspiracy.

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Plot Keywords:

neo noir | investigation | los angeles california | conspiracy | enemies become allies | 

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Taglines:

They're not that nice

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Genres:

Action | Comedy | Crime | Mystery | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence, sexuality, nudity, language and brief drug use

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English German

Release Date:

20 May 2016 (USA)

Also Known As:

Dos tipos peligrosos

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$50,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$11,203,270, 22 May 2016, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$36,261,763

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$62,788,218

Company Credits

Production Co:

Misty Mountains, Bloom, Lipsync Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

116 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Includes several references to other Shane Black movies. A character who appears in an adult movie dies in the beginning like Lethal Weapon (1987), a character is called a f**k up by his daughter like The Last Boy Scout (1991), a duck drawing appears like The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996), and Robert Downey Jr. appears in an uncredited cameo. Downey Jr. also appeared in Iron Man Three (2013) and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005), both of which were directed by Black.

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Goofs

The movie takes place in the Fall of 1977, but there are multiple songs heard being played in various party/club scenes which were released in 1978 ("September" by Earth, Wind & Fire), 1979 ("Escape: The Pina Colada Song" by Rupert Holmes, "Boogie Wonderland" by Earth, Wind & Fire) and even 1982 ("Get Down on It" by Kool & The Gang). "Boogie Oogie Oogie" by A Taste of Honey. This song was not released until June 1978.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Misty Mountains: How do you like my car, Big Boy?

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Alternate Versions

In the censored version, bikinis were put on for many of the nudity scenes. The opening did not include a center spread and the naked body of Misty Mountains.

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Connections

Referenced in The Graham Norton Show: Ryan Gosling/Russell Crowe/Jodie Foster/Greg Davies/Bright Light Bright Light/Elton John/Tom Daley (2016)

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Soundtracks

Papa Was a Rollin' Stone
Written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong
Performed by The Temptations
Courtesy of Motown Records under license from Universal Music Enterprises

User Reviews

The Nice Guys

I'll admit that I am unfamiliar with most of Shane Black's original works, watching The Nice Guys made me want to go back and take a look at his earlier films. The characters were well written, even better cast, and fit well with the theme of the film. There was rare a dull moment, it seemed I was either enjoying the dark comedic tone, or getting engaged in the plot. While the first two thirds of the film seemed excellent, the writers set themselves up for a fantastic finish, but were unable to capitalize on that potential. The script seemed to suddenly turn very basic, with things "falling" into place almost too miraculously to be true. I never felt like I had truly been given an ending worthy of a classic detective story, but the fast pace of the film and humor was enough to make it very enjoyable.