Cindy Prascik's Review of The Nice Guys

Dearest Blog: Yesterday it was off to Marquee Cinemas for one of 2016's best offerings thus far, The Nice Guys. Spoiler level here will be mild, nothing you wouldn't know from the trailers. 

 

When a mismatched pair of sleuths goes looking for a missing girl, they find something far, far bigger. Well, dear Reader(s), THIS is how it's done. The Nice Guys wraps a clever mystery in some great comic bits, and fleshes it out with outstanding performances throughout. 

 

Co-leads Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling are terrific together, with Crowe reminding us why he's one of the world's best-regarded actors, and Gosling displaying some excellent comic chops. 

 

A particularly strong supporting cast includes 15-year-old Angourie Rice, who is precocious but not in the annoying way of so many child actors, and Matt Bomer, no less great for being somewhat under-used. 

 

The mystery at the heart of The Nice Guys will keep you guessing right to the end, and the film features some great action sequences as well. The humor ranges from subtle verbal exchanges to broad physical comedy. 

 

Gosling's bathroom-stall scene, partially featured in one of the trailers, is one of the funniest things you'll ever see, and not at all in a crass "bathroom humor" way. Set in 1977 (for the record, my favorite year of my favorite decade), The Nice Guys displays the music and fashion of the 70s in all their glorious disco majesty, a treat to behold. Finally, the picture is well paced and smart enough not to wear out its welcome, a true cinema home run. 

 

The Nice Guys clocks in at 116 minutes and is rated R for "violence, sexuality, nudity, language, and brief drug use." The Nice Guys is a smart, funny, all-around excellent picture. With Summer Blockbuster Season kicking in, it probably won't hang around long, so I strongly encourage you to get out and see it while you can. 

 

Of a possible nine Weasleys, The Nice Guys gets eight and a half. Until next time...