The Ryan Gosling Crime Comedy On Netflix That Deserves To Be A Classic
Ryan Gosling got his start as a teenage actor in the 90s, starring in the children’s horror stories, Are You Afraid of the Dark? and Goosebumps. In 2004 the actor’s career took off, and he became a household name after starring in The Notebook with Rachel McAdams. Since then, he’s gone on to become one of Hollywood’s go-to leading men in the romance genre, but his performance in the crime comedy film The Nice Guys is the Gosling movie that deserves to be a classic.
The Nice Guys, starring Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe, is streaming now on Netflix.
In 2016, a breath of fresh air cut through the superhero tent poles at the cinema with The Nice Guys, a neo-noir buddy action comedy set in the vibrant and tumultuous Los Angeles of 1977. Directed and co-written by Shane Black, the film brought together the formidable talents of Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling as Jackson Healy and Holland March, respectively.
Their chemistry, along with a compelling storyline and a retro setting, turned The Nice Guys into a hit for both audiences and critics.
The Nice Guys follows private eye Holland March (Ryan Gosling) and tough enforcer for hire Jackson Healy (Russell Crowe), an odd couple of sorts, who team up to investigate the mysterious disappearance of a teenage girl named Amelia Kuttner (Margaret Qualley).
The Nice Guys opens with Ryan Gosling’s March, a struggling private investigator, being hired by Mrs. Glenn, the aunt of a deceased porn star, Misty Mountains. Mrs. Glenn claims to have spotted Misty alive after her supposed death.
The investigation leads March to Amelia Kuttner and her involvement in a controversial film project that combines pornography with investigative journalism.
Amidst the humor and action, The Nice Guys subtly explores themes of corporate corruption, environmental issues, and the clash between the haves and have-nots during a transformative period in American history.
Amelia pays violent enforcer Healy to scare Ryan Gosling’s March away, but soon after Amelia goes missing, and Healy must team up with March to find her. Throughout The Nice Guys, March and Healy find themselves embroiled in a series of dangerous encounters, including a murder investigation, confrontations with hired thugs, and a dangerous game of cat and mouse with John Boy, a ruthless hitman played by Matt Bomer.
The Nice Guys stands out from typical buddy comedies by using a clever combination of action, mystery, and comedy. Director Shane Black’s signature humor is on full display, balancing witty dialogue, sharp banter, and ridiculous situations with the story’s darker aspects.
Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe deliver stellar performances, portraying their flawed characters with nuance and charisma while throwing in their own style of knee-slapping comedy along the way.
The supporting cast enhances the movie’s charm, including Angourie Rice as March’s daughter Holly. Holly’s intelligence and resourcefulness counterbalance her father’s bumbling antics, making her a memorable and endearing character.
Additional cast teaming up with Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe in The Nice Guys include Matt Bomer, Margaret Qualley, Yaya DaCosta, Keith David, Beau Knapp, Lois Smith, Murielle Telio, Gil Gerard, Daisy Tahan, Jack Kilmer, and Kim Basinger.
Amidst the humor and action, The Nice Guys subtly explores themes of corporate corruption, environmental issues, and the clash between the haves and have-nots during a transformative period in American history.
While audiences are enthralled by Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe’s comedic performances and the film’s gritty plot, they’d never realize the social commentary seamlessly blended into the film’s thrilling narrative.
How Critics And Audiences Responded To The Nice Guys
Critics praised The Nice Guys for its refreshing take on the buddy comedy genre. The film’s humor, mystery, and the chemistry between Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe garnered widespread acclaim.
With a 91 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a generally favorable Metacritic score, it became a critical success that has built a cult following.
However, commercially, the film was no blockbuster. Grossing $62 million worldwide against its $50 million budget, the film did alright in the theaters but not well enough to garner a sequel like Shane Black had hoped—though, never say never.
Now, seven years after The Nice Guys was released, fans would love to see Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe team up again as the story continues.
Shane Black’s deft direction and the on-screen chemistry between Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe make this film an absolute joy. Whether you’re a fan of action, comedy, or mystery, The Nice Guys offers something for every movie watcher.
