Credit: Netflix

Buddy comedies never really go out of style, do they? Put two people with polar opposite personalities in the same investigation, and just watch the sparks fly.

Half the entertainment comes from the fact that these two probably shouldn’t even share a car ride, let alone solve a case together. Films such as Lethal Weapon and Rush Hour built their reputation on that exact dynamic. The crime story matters, but the real joy comes from the banter and the fact that even after irritating each other to the level of frustration, the duo works well together.

That tradition continues with The Nice Guys, directed by Shane Black. And if you enjoy a detective story that doesn’t mind laughing at itself, this one’s a great pick for a relaxed weekend watch.

The film drops us into 1970s Los Angeles, which means disco music in the air and neon lights everywhere. Another hilarious bite in the film is plenty of suspicious characters wandering around smoky nightclubs. Right in the middle of all that, you’ll find two detectives who, well, are like chalk and cheese.

First, there is Holland March, played by the forever charming Ryan Gosling. March is a private investigator who sounds confident when he talks about his job, but the moment things get dangerous, that confidence disappears. He tries to act like a tough detective, yet he often panics and ends up in hilariously awkward situations.

Then comes Jackson Healy, played by Russell Crowe. Healy earns money as a hired enforcer, the sort of guy who knocks on doors and convinces people to behave. He usually deals with problems in a very direct way by saying exactly what he thinks and, if required, throwing a punch.

When these two cross paths while searching for a missing woman named Amelia, the partnership begins with mutual annoyance. March talks too much while Healy has no patience for nonsense. But it’s the investigation that keeps dragging them into the same places with the same clues. And that’s when the movie really starts to shine.

Watching Gosling and Crowe bounce off each other becomes the highlight of the whole experience. Gosling clearly has a great time playing March. The character tries hard to look like a capable detective, yet things rarely go according to plan. A routine conversation can suddenly become hilarious because of how March reacts when he realises he is in trouble.

Crowe, on the other hand, works as the perfect contrast. His Healy approaches problems in a much more direct manner and shows very little patience for March’s chaotic, sort of nervous energy. When the two start talking, the scene often feels less like serious detective work and more like two frustrated coworkers trying to survive a project together.

Another thing that makes the film so enjoyable is the setting. Shane Black has recreated 1970s Los Angeles with a lot of affection and effort, and that shows. We see vintage cars, and disco music drifts, and it’s so fun to watch. Clubs are crowded, and the city itself adds personality to the story.

Did you know Shane Black originally developed the story as a television concept before turning it into a feature film? In a strange way, that explains why the characters feel so genuine.

The movie also introduces Holly, March’s teenage daughter, played by Angourie Rice. Holly often appears more sensible than the adults around her, which only adds to the humour. Who remembers the iconic “And stuff” scene?

So if you want a relaxed movie night and want something genuinely entertaining, The Nice Guys is something you should hit play on. As charming as Gosling can look in his romance movies, he surely proves his range as a comic in this one (without losing the charm).