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“Look on the bright side. Nobody got hurt.” “People got hurt.” “I’m saying, I think they died quickly. So I don’t think they got hurt.”

Forrest Miller, Conan Neutron, Kristina Oakes and Kt Baldassaro are joined by returning guest Zach Marsh talk about Shane Black’s The Nice Guys! A film that is such a blast it was… (*checks notes*) a flop and did NOT spawn a franchise? 

Gosling is a cross between Elliot Gould’s Marlowe in Altman’s Long Goodbye and Inspector Gadget. Constantly getting bailed out by his kid that is smart, but has had to grow up too soon. It is a fine line because the movie just doesn’t work if he is just inept. He IS good and perceptive. He’s also lazy and self interested and haunted by tragedy. Comically tragic. He falls, spurts blood, bone, trips, drops everything, he is a hilarious mess and a bit of a fool.

Meanwhile Crowe also fantastic in this, as a big lunk enforcer dude. A sober direct and violent presence. He is also a bit smarter? Or even cagier than maybe even he realizes. It is a wonderful pairing. Which is what you SHOULD have for a buddy PI (?) movie.
Together, they have pathos. Even as they’re very funny together. 

Interesting how reflective of the times this film is, tied very strongly to the Obama era while being placed in the 70s. We loved seeing Kim Basinger in this too, reunited with Crowe from LA Confidential.

Tone wise, if the film goes a little more serious or a little more slapstick. It doesn’t work. The balance is perfect and a bit of lazy or incomplete plotting is totally forgivable for a ride this fun. Main plot where Amelia (Margaret Qualley) goes missing in a world of 1970s Boogey Nights style Porn and Crime is hilariously convoluted at times and also not strictly necessary. It is what gets these guys together, interacting and moves the ride along.

It is deeply anchored in Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe’s incredible chemistry as a Buddy PI Pairing.

When comedy in serious drama flops, it’s cringe-worthy—but when it works, it’s gold.
Bottom line: this movie is hilarious. Features great and every different performances by the two principals and a great supporting performance. It is well directed and fun. We wish this was a franchise… there’s still time!