Movies: Kiss Kiss Bang Bang

"Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" is a 2005 comedy that modernizes a lot of the classic film noir conventions. You know, those movies where the damsel in distress leads the detective into a world of crime and intrigue:



It's the one and only film to date that Shane Black has directed, which is a shame, because it's a fine debut. Petty thief-turned-actor-turned-amateur detective Harry Lockhart (played by Robert Downey Jr.) teams up with seasoned detective Gay Perry (played by Val Kilmer) in order to solve a mysterious murder. Along the way, they run into Harmony Lane, Harry's highschool dream girl.

There are some funny action sequences here and quite a bit of quirky dialogue. Robert Downey Jr.'s narration breaks the fourth wall regularly, so the proceedings never get too serious. At some points the movie revels in its R rating (hence the gratuitous topless shots of Michelle Monaghan and the frequent cursing), which is refreshing. Unfortunately, the movie only saw a limited release, making this one of 2005's most overlooked films.

Rating: 8/10