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Kiss Kiss Bang Bang

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Film Review: Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)@drax708d

(source: tmdb.org)

Shane Black's 2005 directorial debut, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, is a fascinating exploration of the complexities and pitfalls of cinematic storytelling. As both writer and director, Black helms this crime-comedy hybrid with a keen eye for detail and a penchant for clever wordplay. However, his ambitious undertaking ultimately falters under the weight of its own brilliance.

The film's narrative is loosely adapted from Brett Halliday's 1941 hardboiled detective novel, Bodies Are Where You Find Them. Robert Downey Jr. stars as Harry Lockhart, a petty thief with a penchant for getting in over his head. While running from police in New York City, he accidentally stumbles into an acting audition and his attempt to read the script, mistaken for Method acting, impresses the producer, Dabney Shaw (played by Larry Miller), landing him a screen test in Los Angeles. There, at the Christmas party, he crosses paths with "Gay" Perry van Shrike (played by Val Kilmer), private detective and Shaw's trusted consultant. In order to prepare for his upcoming role, Perry invites Lockhart to join him on a stakeout during one of his cases. Meanwhile, Lockhart also meets Harmony Fate Lane (Michelle Monaghan), an aspiring actress who used to be his high school sweetheart while they were growing up in small town in Indiana. Both Perry and Harmony, together with Harry, get entangled in a murder mystery that may be linked to the wealthy former actor Harlan Dexter (played by Corbin Bernsen).

The creation of Kiss Kiss Bang Bang? was the result of a long and arduous process, beginning after the disappointing failure of Black's previous script, Long Kiss Goodnight, in 1996. Determined to venture into new genre territory, Black transformed his original romantic comedy script into a crime film that pays homage and parodies the classics of film noir. Set against the backdrop of contemporary Hollywood, the film also afforded Black the opportunity to exercise some personal demons, with a big party scene actually being shot in his own house and another scene commenting on studio changing the ending of his previous script Lethal Weapon 2.

Moreover, the film's satirical treatment of Hollywood allowed Black to infuse it with a meta quality, as Lockhart frequently breaks the fourth wall and provides running commentary on the various elements of the script. This, coupled with the film's cynical but inventive dialogue, makes Kiss Kiss Bang Bang an unusual and extra entertaining ride. However, this self-indulgence may ultimately deter viewers who aren't hardcore cinephiles.

Unfortunately, Black is not as proficient a director as he is a screenwriter. While he does an adequate job, he struggles to maintain the film's tone. The cinematography by Michael Barrett is at times too dark and makes the convoluted plot even more confusing for viewers who don't pay close attention.

Nevertheless, what ultimately rescues this film is its excellent cast. Robert Downey Jr. delivers a brilliant performance as the cynical protagonist, often finding himself in situations that are beyond his capabilities. He later stated that the role of Harold was his favorite in his entire career, and it played an important role in landing him the role of Tony Stark in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Downey has excellent "buddy buddy" chemistry with Val Kilmer, who relishes playing a tough private detective who subverts genre expectations by being gay. Kilmer is especially effective when his character uses this homosexuality to get out of tricky situations.

Michelle Monaghan is also one of the film's greatest assets, delivering a nearly perfect combination of charm, wit, and sex appeal, including brief nude scene, in her role as Harmony. She establishes good "screwball" dynamics between her character and Harold.

Despite its flaws, which may lead some viewers to wonder if Kiss Kiss Bang Bang would have been an undisputed classic with a more experienced director, it remains a very entertaining film that didn't deserve to fare poorly at the box office. With its sharp dialogue, inventive plotting, and superb cast performances, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang stands as a worthy entry in the annals of 2000s cinema, even if it falls short of being the grand classic it aspired to be.

RATING: 7/10 (+++)

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›Film Review: Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2001)@drax961d

Some films are obscure because they were made by unknown people. Some films are obscure because they deserve to be obscure. Some are obscure because of circumstances beyond their authors’ control. The example of the latter can be found in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, 2001 British crime comedy written and directed by Stewart Sugg, film that few people heard of simply because it shares the title with much better known Hollywood crime comedy made four years later.

The protagonist, played by Stellan Skarsgård, is Felix, professional killer who became tired of his job and wants to retire and leave young protege Jimmy (played by Paul Bettany) to take his job within London criminal organisation. That proves difficult to achieve, because the gangsters don’t take the whole idea of retirement likely and instead want to end both Felix’s career and life and the same time. In the meantime, Felix wants to make ends meet and takes the job of caretaker for Bubba (played by Chris Penn), an adult man with a mind of little child who has spent almost entire life sheltered from the world. The job becomes very difficult, even more so because he has to evade assassins at the same time.

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is based on an interesting idea to mix Tarantinoesque black comedy about criminals with the plot of Rain Man. Actors chosen for the part are great. Stellan Skarsgård, who is usually relegated to supporting role in Hollywood films, obviously enjoys playing the protagonist for the change. Chris Penn in one of his latter roles also tries something different and delivers interesting performance. Australian actress Jacqueline Mackenzie also has good chemistry with Skarsgård while playing protagonist’s girlfriend. Unfortunately, Sugg’s ambitions appear way above his talents and beyond relatively limited budget. His script plays with too many things at once, trying to pay homage to film noir, Charles Bronson’s underrated classic The Mechanic and Hong Kong action films. Film never establishes proper focus and tonal shifts between violence and comedy are at times too annoying. Thanks to great cast, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is watchable, but eponymous Hollywood film being better known doesn’t look that surprising.

RATING: 4/10 (+)

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›My take on the film Kiss Kiss Bang Bang@ismaca986d
[Image](https://www.filmaffinity.com/ve/filmimages.php?movie_id=455962)

When it opened two days ago, watching the impressive Saul Bass-style end credits and looking at the cast of Robert Downey Jr. and Val Kilmer, I decided to stay.

Then a beautiful actress I didn't recognise came along and did a great job. This is Michelle Monaghan, can you tell me if she's done any interesting films?

Well, the film has some comic undertones, but it's a very complex investigative plot.
[Image](https://www.filmaffinity.com/ve/filmimages.php?movie_id=455962)

It's all funny because the investigators are the main characters and they investigate by chance. I won't explain more.

I don't know if the story was told well by the screenwriter and director himself, Shane Black. Believe it or not, he directed "Iron Man 3" with Robert as the main character.

The film lacks a bit more precision than it tells.

I missed a lot of things and now I have to read the whole plot on Wikipedia.
But if it really is a poorly told story, at least it's fun to see Robert Downey Jr. play a perfectly strange character, far from his later work.
[Image](https://www.filmaffinity.com/ve/filmimages.php?movie_id=455962)

Val Kilmer is an actor I don't really like, however, in this film he does a great job and plays a very emotional character that will fascinate you. It's also very funny, with lots of action and excellent sarcastic dialogue.
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›Insomniac Movie Marathon: Kiss, Kiss, Bang, Bang@rvgenaille2382d
Before Iron Man and Sherlock Holmes marked Robert Downey Jr.’s major league comeback in Hollywood, he made a small action-comedy with Val Kilmer and Michelle Monaghan called Kiss, Kiss, Bang, Bang, written and directed by Shane Black. It was a small budget murder mystery about a thief, pretending to be an actor, named Harry who is partnered with a detective named Perry, who stumbles onto a big problem when he goes to Hollywood to screen test for a film and runs into a woman from his hometown. The film wasn’t a big hit but it was a lot of fun, well written and well acted.

It’s just plain good. Not a big review today with my “The Good” and “Not So Good” because there is not much that needs to be said here. This is a good, funny dramedy headlined by great actors, written and directed by a great director and featuring a compelling story.

Worth Watching! Do yourself a favour and see it!
- all photos via IMDb.com
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›Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005) - Plant and Payoff@lionsuit2940d

Adapted and directed by Shane Black, based on the novel by Brett Halliday.

This film is a blast, a great mix between your 80's action, modern adventure, and classic detective film.

Black is a genius writer, aware of film's strengths, weaknesses, etc. He's been in the game for years, the grandfather of Lethal Weapon, you might say.

In Kiss Kiss his use of plant and payoff is great: at times in your face for comedic effect, at times so smooth and subtle.

In the most simple example, take a look at Harmony's friend Flicka. She is a flight attendant. This is planted when we first meet her. Later when we see her on our way out of town, at the airport, the audience doesn't think twice about the coincidental run in which leads to the Ames realization.

In a more extreme or "story important" note, take a look at how they prep the audience for the two separate detective cases being ultimately connected. They tell us early on that the Jonny Gossamer novels always have connected mysteries (with intense endings that always have a shootout showdown). This sets the stage, opens our minds to the possibility of it happening later in our characters' world also.

Again, regarding key clue placement, notice the subtle insert shot of Harry covering the dead body's private parts at the lake, setting up the underwear note early, one of the most important realizations in the film, which leads us to the clinic.

Solid. Or course, for someone so well versed and dedicated to the detective story.

Be well. http://www.LionSuit.com

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›Insomniac Film Festival #90: Kiss, Kiss, Bang, Bang@rvgenaille3141d
Before Iron Man and Sherlock Holmes marked Robert Downey Jr.’s major league comeback in Hollywood, he made a small action-comedy with Val Kilmer and Michelle Monaghan called Kiss, Kiss, Bang, Bang, written and directed by Shane Black. It was a small budget murder mystery about a thief, pretending to be an actor, named Harry who is partnered with a detective named Perry, who stumbles onto a big problem when he goes to Hollywood to screen test for a film and runs into a woman from his hometown. The film wasn’t a big hit but it was a lot of fun, well written and well acted.

It’s just plain good. Not a big review today with my “The Good” and “Not So Good” because there is not much that needs to be said here. This is a good, funny dramedy headlined by great actors, written and directed by a great director and featuring a compelling story.

Worth Watching! Do yourself a favour and see it!
- all photos via IMDb.com
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5 more reviews

Worth Watching! Do yourself a favour and see it!

Worth Watching! Do yourself a favour and see it!