Movie Loner

I love a good Hollywood mystery: A Tinseltown puzzler, a La La Land conundrum, a Glitz and Glam whodunit. There’s something fascinating about movies that shine the spotlight on the movie-making industry, especially when the subject is murder. Films like Sunset Boulevard and Body Double turn the lens around to reveal the silly and tragic elements of Hollyweird. Screenwriter Shane Black, the guy who wrote the Lethal Weapon franchise, makes his directorial debut with this crafty noir parody starring two of Hollywood’s top thespians, Val Kilmer and Robert Downey, Jr.

While eluding the NYPD petty thief Harry Lockhart (Downey Jr.) ducks into a movie audition which scores him a ticket to L.A. for a screen test to play a detective. To help research the role, Harry is introduced to Gay Perry (Kilmer), an ace private eye who may or may not be gay. Harry’s big Hollywood adventure also reintroduces him to his childhood crush, would-be actress Harmony Lane (Michelle Monaghan). When not fawning over the lovely Harmony, Harry takes gumshoe lessons from Gay Perry. Their nights of sleuthing eventually land the two smack dab in the middle of a murder case involving the body of a young girl found in a lake.

Things get harrier for Harry after Harmony’s little sister ends up dead. Distraught and desperate for help, Harmony enlists Harry’s neophytic investigative skills to solve her sister’s death. Meanwhile, Harry and Perry uncover the identity of the girl in the lake and stumble on a connection to the daughter of ex-actor/mogul Harlan Dexter. Along the way our reluctant hero Harry meets some unfortunate circumstances that include losing a finger, shooting a vicious thug, and getting electrodes attached to his nether-regions. Oh yeah, he also falls in love with Harmony.

Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang is just plain fun to watch. Shane Black does an adequate job directing, but it’s his proficiency as an accomplished screenwriter that shines through. Fresh characters, smart dialogue and an abundance of inside jokes fill a clever script that pays homage to movie classics like Lady in the Lake, My Friend Flicka, The Natural and RoboCop. Downey Jr. and Kilmer are hilarious together playing unlikely partners who clash at every turn. Known more for their dramatic work it’s a pleasure to observe these guys nail comedic performances. Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang requires undivided attention but I promise you won’t be disappointed.

A scene from Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang: