Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
A thesp-turned-crook gets a chance at career in movies as well as crime scene investigation in this offbeat action comedy with nods to Raymond Chandler. Harry Lockhart (Robert Downey Jr.) is a struggling New York actor who high-tails it to Los Angeles. Once there, Lockhart winds up at the posh home of the aptly named homosexual private eye Gay Perry (Val Kilmer) amid a lavish Hollywood party, hoping to score a life-changing role in a Hollywood feature. Harry becomes reacquainted with Harmony (Michelle Monaghan), a girl he had a major crush on in his small-town Indiana high school, who may be a bit more interested in him now than she was years ago. He takes both her and her girlfriend home with him, but -- in a moment of drunken stupor -- accidentally sleeps with the wrong woman. Meanwhile, when a series of female bodies turns up across L.A., Harry slowly breaks into detective work, mentored by Perry. The biggest twist? Shane Black riffs Adaptation and other films by having Harry (via satirical narration) write the movie while he is living it. Harry assures the audience that unlike Lord of the Rings, this one won't have 17 endings. Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang marks the first directorial credit for Black, who created the Lethal Weapon franchise. more..
Director: Shane Black
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Val Kilmer, Michelle Monaghan,Corbin Bernsen, Dash Mihok
The deliriously enjoyable noir comedy-thriller Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang does nothing by halves and everything by doubles.
Black's retro-noir reminds us why we love movies: because they can surprise us, even when we're ankle deep in bullet casings, bodies and enough twists to tie us in knots.
Amazingly and incessantly funny, a free-form riff on Hollywood shenanigans, the film noir genre and film in general.
Shane Black creates a movie that is defiantly smartass and too cool for the room. I couldn't have liked it more.
Has some hilarious moments and still succeeds in dramatic terms.
Best Action/Adventure/Thriller Film
Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films (2006)
Best Comedy Movie
Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards (2006)
Best Thriller
Empire Awards, UK (2006)
Outstanding Film - Wide Release
GLAAD Media Awards (2006)
Screenwriter of the Year
London Critics Circle Film Awards (2006)
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