In the genre of comedies with a film noir bent there are, well, there is really only one, and that is Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang. Oh sure, there have been comedies that used the film noir milieu as their setting, but really no film has attempted to be both a comedy and a noir thriller at the same time. Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang is definitely that, and it does a generally good job of working in both universes, although it is certainly a more effective comedy than a noir, but it gives the latter a good shot.
Harry (Robert Downey, Jr.) is a crook ripping off a department store in New York City (trying to steal a present for his daughter, no less) when a twist of fate causes the alarm to sound and Harry runs for it, happening upon an audition for a film featuring a police detective. The producer (Larry Miller) immediately thinks Harry is method acting and packs him on a plane for L.A. There, at a party, Harry meets "Gay" Perry (Val Kilmer) a real private detective who is a friend of the producer who will give Harry "Detective Lessons." Oh, and he's gay, hence the name. At the same party, Harry runs into a girl who turns out to be his high school unrequited love, Harmony (Michelle Monaghan), whom he tries, and stumbles, to be build a renewed relationship with. When Perry and Harry go out on a surveillance job, as part of Harry's detective classes, they end up with a dead body and men chasing them. The situation becomes even more complicated, with the apparent suicide of Harmony's younger sister and connections to a rich former actor (Corbin Bernsen). What appeared to be just a routine job becomes a complicated web of lies, deceit and bodies.
Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang was written and directed by Shane Black, the writer of the original Lethal Weapon, The Last Boy Scout and The Long Kiss Goodnight, and anyone familiar with his work from those films will instantly recognize his style here. Black is one of a select few (principally only Kevin Smith otherwise) who can write absolutely hilarious dialogue that is interlaced with copious profanity and not have it seem excessive. His gift for witty repartee is impressive, and a great many scenes in Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang are absolutely roll on the floor, bust a gut funny as Harry and Perry verbally jab at each other (A good example: Perry: "Do you know what you will find if you look up the word idiot in the dictionary?" Harry: "A picture of me?" Perry: "No, the definition of idiot, which is what you are!"). Most of this film rides on the collaboration of these two characters, and they both pull off their scenes beautifully.
At the same time, Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang is a film noir, complete with voice over narration, and an appropriately twisty plot. These elements of the film are played with a certain amount of levity and self-awareness, especially the narration, which Downey delivers with a wink and a nod to the audience. It plays more like a screenwriters commentary on a narrative, and while it adds to the appropriate feel of a noir, it does so with a unique bent on it. The plot is indeed full of twists and turns, and even when it comes together at the end, we get a sense that everything has been resolved without really knowing every little detail. The light tone, and the strong identification with the characters defuses whatever questions there are left at the end. This is a film that is driven by it's energy and it's dialogue, not its plot.
Downey, Kilmer and Monaghan are all excellent in their roles. Downey's performance is so strong that you can't help but forget his real world troubles and be pulled in by what a terrific performer he is. Kilmer is also great in one of his better performances in a while. He really sells Perry as a hard nosed detective who is more concerned with not getting his nose too far into where it doesn't belong who eventually has to realize that he needs to do the right thing. Monaghan is also effective in her role, playing a somewhat clichéd role in a non-cliché manner. She is a light, breezy comedienne and her scenes with Downey sparkle with chemistry (something missing from countless other film romances these days).
Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang is no masterpiece, nor does it intend to be. It's an enjoyable, entertaining mix of two genres that is fun to watch and absolutely hilarious at times. There are few comedies out this year better than this one, and it is worth a spin.
Harry (Robert Downey, Jr.) is a crook ripping off a department store in New York City (trying to steal a present for his daughter, no less) when a twist of fate causes the alarm to sound and Harry runs for it, happening upon an audition for a film featuring a police detective. The producer (Larry Miller) immediately thinks Harry is method acting and packs him on a plane for L.A. There, at a party, Harry meets "Gay" Perry (Val Kilmer) a real private detective who is a friend of the producer who will give Harry "Detective Lessons." Oh, and he's gay, hence the name. At the same party, Harry runs into a girl who turns out to be his high school unrequited love, Harmony (Michelle Monaghan), whom he tries, and stumbles, to be build a renewed relationship with. When Perry and Harry go out on a surveillance job, as part of Harry's detective classes, they end up with a dead body and men chasing them. The situation becomes even more complicated, with the apparent suicide of Harmony's younger sister and connections to a rich former actor (Corbin Bernsen). What appeared to be just a routine job becomes a complicated web of lies, deceit and bodies.
Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang was written and directed by Shane Black, the writer of the original Lethal Weapon, The Last Boy Scout and The Long Kiss Goodnight, and anyone familiar with his work from those films will instantly recognize his style here. Black is one of a select few (principally only Kevin Smith otherwise) who can write absolutely hilarious dialogue that is interlaced with copious profanity and not have it seem excessive. His gift for witty repartee is impressive, and a great many scenes in Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang are absolutely roll on the floor, bust a gut funny as Harry and Perry verbally jab at each other (A good example: Perry: "Do you know what you will find if you look up the word idiot in the dictionary?" Harry: "A picture of me?" Perry: "No, the definition of idiot, which is what you are!"). Most of this film rides on the collaboration of these two characters, and they both pull off their scenes beautifully.
At the same time, Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang is a film noir, complete with voice over narration, and an appropriately twisty plot. These elements of the film are played with a certain amount of levity and self-awareness, especially the narration, which Downey delivers with a wink and a nod to the audience. It plays more like a screenwriters commentary on a narrative, and while it adds to the appropriate feel of a noir, it does so with a unique bent on it. The plot is indeed full of twists and turns, and even when it comes together at the end, we get a sense that everything has been resolved without really knowing every little detail. The light tone, and the strong identification with the characters defuses whatever questions there are left at the end. This is a film that is driven by it's energy and it's dialogue, not its plot.
Downey, Kilmer and Monaghan are all excellent in their roles. Downey's performance is so strong that you can't help but forget his real world troubles and be pulled in by what a terrific performer he is. Kilmer is also great in one of his better performances in a while. He really sells Perry as a hard nosed detective who is more concerned with not getting his nose too far into where it doesn't belong who eventually has to realize that he needs to do the right thing. Monaghan is also effective in her role, playing a somewhat clichéd role in a non-cliché manner. She is a light, breezy comedienne and her scenes with Downey sparkle with chemistry (something missing from countless other film romances these days).
Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang is no masterpiece, nor does it intend to be. It's an enjoyable, entertaining mix of two genres that is fun to watch and absolutely hilarious at times. There are few comedies out this year better than this one, and it is worth a spin.