Starring Russell Crowe, Ryan Gosling, Angourie Rice, Matt Bomer, Margaret Qualley, Keith David and Kim Basinger. Written by Shane Black and Anthony Bagarozzi. 116 minutes long. Budget $50 million.
Set in Hollywood, Los Angeles during the smog-heavy summer of 1977, but with no mention at all of Star Wars, this sees heavy-for-hire, Jackson Healy (Russell Crowe) team up with reluctant, down on his heel, Private Eye, Holland Marsh (Ryan Gosling) search for, not only, a missing 'dead' porn actress called Misty Mountains, but also the daughter of high ranking Department of Justice officer, a porn producer and the missing reels of a porn movie called: 'How Do You Like Your Car, Big Boy?', which all put together might just bring down entire US car industry if it's broadcast.
Confusing, complicated and at times bewildering the plot to this glorious film is so convoluted as to begger belief as our two anti heroes and Healy's daughter Holly (Angourie Rice) ram raid their way through Hollywood from party to shot-outs and national car show in search of the macguffin and it's utterly and unhinge-ingly glorious!
But what makes it so glorious isn't the plot, it's the casting and characters, Gosling and Crowe who bring a wonderful easy charm and likeability to their roles, that coupled with the young Angourie in her first role as as Marsh's daughter Holly is fantastic making this film more of a trio than a buddy movie. Those three plus Shane's writing and direction make this a satisfying meaty thriller that has the same easy casual air of ultra violence and charm as Freebie and the Bean.
Funny, utterly violent, coarse, crude, smutty and charming. A great Saturday night special.
9/10
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