While I was making my list of my favorite films for the year, I couldn’t help but put the underrated-as-hell film The Nice Guys up there on that list. It was the perfect blend of the blackest of black comedy and over-the-top action that would make any film fan go nuts. It really cements itself as an instant cult classic, in my honest opinion. This Christmas, the Brattle Theatre is doing a double feature in honor of director Shane Black, with The Nice Guys and its great granddad Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. Now, if you haven’t seen Kiss Kiss Bang Bang but have seen The Nice Guys, you are seriously missing out on one of the best neo noir, black satirical comedies in the last 15 years. Staring a newly rejuvenated Robert Downey, Jr., Kiss Kiss Bang Bang follows petty thief Henry Lockhart (Downey) as he accidentally stumbles into an actors’ audition after narrowly escaping the cops during a failed robbery. Mistaking his immediacy for genuine acting, the producers decide to cast Henry. Into the picture comes private detective “Gay” Perry Van Shrike (Val Kilmer) as he is hired to give Henry experience he can learn from for his incoming role. What happens from there is a spiral down Henry’s past, a world of crime and deep mystery that gets deeper and deeper as the story progresses.

Even though this was director Shane Black’s first foray into directing, he had plenty of experience in film beforehand; he was the key writer to all 4 of the Lethal Weapon films, as well as other action-oriented films like Last Action Hero and The Long Kiss Goodnight. On top of Black’s ability to write amazing scripts, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang proved his competence as a director as well. The way he spins this narrative (the whole film being a flashback being told by Henry, recounting how he got to this point and what drove him to do what he did) adds unique depth to the overall vibe of the film, and sets it apart from the cookie cutter action genre. Blend this at times incoherent, yet always engaging, story with a beautiful mix of dark comedy and you have one of the most underrated films of all time. I never hear people talk about this film, just as no one this year seems to be talking about The Nice Guys. This double feature is the perfect opportunity to catch up on Shane Black and enjoy some high quality action. So please, check it out.

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
2005
dir. Shane Black
103 min

Screens Friday, 12/23, 4:45PM & 9:00PM @ Brattle Theatre
Double feature with The Nice Guys (7:00)

Rare 35mm screening!