Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang (2005) - At The Movies Review

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang

Shane Black, the writer of the Lethal Weapon films, The Last Boy Scout and The Long Kiss Goodbye, has made his debut as writer/director with Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, the story of a petty thief - Robert Downey Jr - who stumbles into an audition session while running from the cops and is whisked off to Hollywood for a screen test.

Assigned to prepare for his role with private eye Perry van Shrike - Val Kilmer - known as Gay Perry for good reason, our hero Harry, stumbles over dead bodies and into a girl he grew up with, Harmony - Michelle Monaghan - an aspiring actress who has idolised the pulp fiction hero Johnny Gossamer.

While trying to help Harmony solve the mystery of her sister's apparent suicide things spiral out of control.

This super-cool post-modern take on Hollywood and the detective genre has been so cleverly written by Black. Yes, it's chaotic and irreverent and ultra-cynical about film business but it's obvious that the actors have thrown themselves into this mayhem with a great degree of enthusiasm. Robert Downey Jr, wandering through the film with a severed finger is terrific as the film's hero and narrator, he relishes Black's hip dialogue and Val Kilmer is a great match for him. Michelle Monaghan lovely. Black uses every bit of cheekiness in directing the film, winding back, interrupting scenes when Harry gets things out of order. It's a laugh out loud experience.

MARGARET POMERANZ: It really is a laugh out loud experience, isn't it, David?

DAVID STRATTON: It is. I think that Shane Black has saved the best script for him to direct because I think

MARGARET POMERANZ: Wouldn't you?

DAVID STRATTON: Well, I would, if knew I was going to direct like that. It is a very clever script. It's full of wonderful touches, like the Raymond Chandler titles of his novels that appear as chapter headings, and of course there are Raymond Chandler situations, like the lady in the lake.

MARGARET POMERANZ: Yes, exactly. Oh, and that lady in the lake is such a great scene.

DAVID STRATTON: Yes, and there is a little sister as well. So there is all these things. I love the use of narration by Robert Downey Junior and the fact that in one case he even says to us, the audience, "Well, okay, are you getting it now? Do you know who the killer is?"

MARGARET POMERANZ: It is, it's a real dialogue with the audience.

DAVID STRATTON: Yes, it's a very knowing

MARGARET POMERANZ: I'm telling, you know, no one out there a story.

DAVID STRATTON: Yes, he's taking us into it.

MARGARET POMERANZ: It's such a "nod, nod, wink, wink" film, isn't it?

DAVID STRATTON: Yes, Kiss, Kiss, Bang, Bang, nod, nod, wink, wink. Right from the opening credits you know you're in good hands.

MARGARET POMERANZ: Yes.

DAVID STRATTON: It's a lovely film, I think. It's funny and it's exciting.

MARGARET POMERANZ: And they enjoy it and it makes it easy for us to do, too.