Film noir arguably peak in the 1940’s and 50’s; attempts to revive the formula have briefly flourished, but it’s generally a moribund genre, with tv detectives largely taking the audience elsewhere. For his directorial debut, writer Shane Black embraced his own experience of the Hollywood system, fashioning a cool neo-noir about a criminal who disguises himself as an actor and gets caught up in the dark side of the action beneath the Hollywood sign. It’s a radical take, but one in line with the best of Chandler and Hammett; Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is a clever, funny, original take on the noir genre.
The cast helps; Robert Downey Jr had talent to burn, and for a while, it looked as if he was determined to burn it. The role of Harry Lockhart provided a spring-board into bankability, but also provided a showcase for a mercurial ability to play an unconventional leading man that led him to become the fulcrum of the Marvel franchise behemoth. He’s paired with Val Kilmer as Gay Paree, a smart-ass detective who knows the ropes as well as Harry doesn’t; the two embark on a seemingly impenetrable mystery that recalls The Big Sleep. The inspiration comes from Brett Halliday’s Bodies Are Where You Find Them, and the corpses pile up as they tackle a cautionary take of film-industry corruption.
Black took the mixture of humour, murder-mystery and bromance a stage further with The Nice Guys, but the formula is already box fresh and finely tuned here, with some Lethal Weapon/Last Boy Scout action woven into the wise-cracks. Things get violent, with Downey losing a finger, but it’s all well within the rules of the genre; it’s Black’s caustic notes in the margin that make this a classic.
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang worked wonders in the cinema, but it’s an ideal film to revisit and rewatch, if only to tease out the intricacies of Black’s wordy, literate script. Turning up on Amazon Prime, it’s an easy recommend; Downey Jr was probably never better, the seedy Hollywood scene is captured with the nuance of Chinatown, and if you’re keen to see the Iron Man star tackle more adult material, this absolutely hits the spot. There’s equal helpings of Kiss Kiss and Bang Bang here, making for a perfect Saturday night watch.
I love this film and I feel its Shane Black at his finest. Can’t understand how he delivered such a shitfest with The Predator. Can I just add that Michelle Monaghan is fantastic in this and steals the show….but also Val Kilmer is wow!
Everyone good in this, and yes, impossible to understand how the same guy could make the appalling Predator!
Worth a second look and more literate than the title suggests
I kind of like the title, but it didn’t help the film much….
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I just did, liked it, and will be back! Thanks!
Thanks man. I appreciate it. What do you do by the way?
Film-maker and journalist!
Give some links of your films mate or journals.
Here’s 800 to start you off…
https://www.list.co.uk/articles/writer:eddie-harrison/
Also, I hadn’t thought of tv detective shows superseding the noir genre, as u mentioned. And I think that’s exactly right, is a big reason why the noir genre largely died out, or failed to make a comeback… Making KKBB even more of an unlikely gem
I think it’s a shame that so many genres have migrated to tv, but this was a worthy revival!
Nice review! Robert Downey and Val Kilmer are such entertaining actors. This sounds like a good one!
It’s a belter!
Found it on my Prime, thanks! I do like Mr. Junior.
That’s what I do! Another satisfied customer!
was it free? I found it on prime US but it wasn’t free 🙁
Free in the UK right now, maybe not in US, movies drop in and out of the Prime selection…
gotcha. figures :-/
Yes, just checked for you and I can ‘watch now’! Though I won’t as I’m cooking dinner 🙂
One of my favorites, and an annual Christmas time watch for me. Kilmer and Downey Jr have such great chemistry.
Never thought of watching at Christmas, but you’re right, and it’s a setting Shane Black uses a lot!
A definite favorite of mine. Great write-up!
Agreed! Thanks!
I will have to take a look at this film.
I’ve not watched much (if any) pre-Marvel Downey. I’ve seen in his Sherlock movies (which I liked quite a bit) but I guess knowing he was on the downward spiral has always put me off trying his earlier stuff.
This sounds tempting, but not quite enough to shell out money for it.
His great work overshadows any personal issues, besides, growing up in the public eye not easy…
Yeah, I’ve always thought kids who grew up in the public eye had it about 100% harder than everyone else.
You know how there are some movies that you have always wanted to see, but never get around to? This for me is one of them. So I was excited when you said it was on Amazon….but as usual, it’s not on my Amazon😢 Oh well. It really is a film I know I would enjoy, as Kilmer alone is one of my favorite actors. I’ve heard so many good things about this film, and your review once again sells it even more to me. That and Downey is always a good actor, seen him in The Judge? He was so good in that one 😊
It’s quite an old movie, maybe find it cheap in a store. But so easy to recommend, and good for multiple watches, so full price dvd isn’t a problem…
I think I have it on dvd, but a lot of my stuff currently is in storage, so it will be a while before I can acces it😀
Have a look in the white box with the comics in, under the chest of drawers last time I saw it…
Yes….thanks for the advice! Wait….where is that white box again?🤔🤔🤔😂😂😂
It was under the bed last tine I saw it, I can’t be expected to keep track of everything!
No…you are right….I’m sorry, it’s because I’ve lost my focus. I didn’t get any ironing fixes this week and it’s beginning to take it’s toll😅😅😂😂
I’ve let the ironing blog fall into disrepair, don’t worry, it’ll be back bigger and better!
I hope it comes back soon, I’m shaking all over. Luckily I still have my trusty ironingboard right next to me…always good to keep it close for emergencies you know?😅😅😂😂
Textbook stuff! You’ll be fine…ironing is coming back!