This crime comedy caper involving two ill-matched private investigators working together (Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling) has been well received in a number of quarters. However in my case, for several stretches I was bored close to distraction. Some of the audience with whom I saw it were amused from time to time though it never once raised a smile on me.
Set in 1977 L.A., while Crowe is asleep at home a car crashes right through the house, coming to rest in the garden where the only person involved is a female porn star who happens to be on a centrefold spread in Crowe's current glossy magazine. She apparently dies within seconds.
Meanwhile, Gosling (living only with his potty-mouthed, wise-ass daughter of early teenage years) has been summoned to the home of the deceased's aged aunt who insists that she saw her niece well and alive two days later. This is the catalyst which brings the two men together to find out exactly what's going on. Cue the two of them crashing hedonistic parties for the super-rich and probes into the porn industry - all very so what? Much violence, fighting both punching and with guns, all what one could predict.
Most of the 'humour', such as it exists, consists of deadpan lines, usually delivered by the unflappable Crowe to the nervy, excitable Gosling. There's hardly any situational humour.
Visual and aural references (fashions, music) to the 70s era are not as numerous as one might have expected. In fact it wouldn't have been a huge leap to have set the film in the present day, though I suppose there is something vaguely redolent here of crime films of that decade.
I can't say I'd be willing to fork out more money to see Crowe and Gosling doing a reprise of their double act, as they might well do since this film seems to be getting better-than-average reviews.
(There's also the appearance of Kim Basinger in just two brief scenes).
Director Shane Black cut his teeth directing one of the archetype 'buddy' crime movies, the original 'Lethal Weapon', and was also involved in its sequel, so it's familiar ground for him. I got the impression that some of the audience were well satisfied with this, but as for it engaging me, if it did it was only very marginally........................4.
Thank you! I was wondering whether to waste my time and money to see what appeared to be dull rendition of duller movies. My, how Crowe and Gosling have fallen.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't go so far as to warn anyone off from seeing it as it definitely has its audience. My view can only apply to myself. However I do have to wonder if some people's expectations are pre-determining their reactions, though there will no doubt be some who see it as just good fun. And good for them!
DeleteMr crowe needs a a boost in roles me thinks
ReplyDeleteThere is a 'sameness' creeping into his roles now where he seems to be doing no more than playing himself, though not necessarily displaying the short-tempered fuse for which he's become notorious. To me he didn't seem to be putting much effort into this film.
DeleteRay,
ReplyDeletePat saw this film and LOVED it! Not only because Ryan is a fellow Canadian but he thought Crowe and Ryan had great chemistry, which is so important in films between the actors. Also, a fine script. He can't wait for the sequel. I have yet to see the film but will, you can be sure of that!
Ron
Well there you are, Ron. But I think we already know of the divergence of tastes between your Pat and myself. I think that you and I may be closer in likes, but even if that's so it doesn't mean that you're not going to like this one as much as Pat. Do see it, and somehow let me know what you think. As I say above, a large part of the audience I saw it with got their entertainment value out of it. Perhaps you will to - and I hope you do.
DeleteI saw it too and except for a weak denouement, gave it a really good rating. I thought Crowe and Gosling had the sort of chemistry rarely seen in buddy films. It was like watching Abbott and Costello mutating into Lethal Weapon.
ReplyDeleteI realised early on that I'd be in a minority, Dave, and that's fine. Maybe it's a generational thing - though I've no idea of your own age. In the unlikely event that I watched it again I would pay more attention to what others like yourself are saying and why they enjoyed. I do wish I could have shared the sentiment.
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