Review of the 2005 film ‘Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang’

With a brilliant (if slightly complicated) plot and wonderful characters, ‘Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang’ is one of the most entertaining films I have seen this year, and I think it will rapidly be finding its place on my list of favourite movies.

Robert Downey Jr plays quirky petty criminal Harry Lockhart, narrator of our tale. Chance circumstances lead Lockhart to LA, invited to a party where he meets the sarcastic private detective ‘Gay Perry’ (Val Kilmer) and the hopeful actress, Harmony (Michelle Monaghan). From there things go downhill, and ‘detective lessons’ aimed at making Lockhart a better actor start to have very real consequences.

This film manages to be funny without being too slapstick, and it manages to be dramatic without taking itself too seriously. While the events and plot might outline any number of Hollywood detective stories, the fact that the characters are aware of this makes it much easier to swallow, and everything takes place with a mixture of drama, suspense and entertainment. From the caustic remarks of Gay Perry to the naïve and occasionally idiotic bumbling of the narrator, this film is beautifully scripted, and the acting is behind the quality of story one hundred percent.

Unfortunately, from the point of view of a reviewer, any points that I could find to scorn are scorned by the characters in the movie before I have a chance. They constantly make reference to ‘Johnny Gossamer’ novels, which are cheesy paperback detective stories that Harmony read constantly as a child. That the plot reads like such a fictional flick is referenced, and even ‘explained’. The actual detective, Perry, mocks Lockhart relentlessly for acting like he’s a TV detective. And because it’s a comic film, these ‘flaws’ are arguably selling points, making the film more of a parody.

But ‘Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang,’ also has its dramatic moments. Fear, anger, hope and love are portrayed beautifully on screen, and there is never a sense of any character feeling, leave alone being, invincible. From beginning to end, the film entertains and amuses, without forgetting to have an extra special flare.

Some films manage to capture a balance between comedy and action drama perfectly, and this is one of them. I would recommend this film to anyone. Unless you have serious problems with guns and violence and swearing.