Film Review: Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)

Shane Black's 2005 directorial debut, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, is a fascinating exploration of the complexities and pitfalls of cinematic storytelling. As both writer and director, Black helms this crime-comedy hybrid with a keen eye for detail and a penchant for clever wordplay. However, his ambitious undertaking ultimately falters under the weight of its own brilliance.

The film's narrative is loosely adapted from Brett Halliday's 1941 hardboiled detective novel, Bodies Are Where You Find Them. Robert Downey Jr. stars as Harry Lockhart, a petty thief with a penchant for getting in over his head. While running from police in New York City, he accidentally stumbles into an acting audition and his attempt to read the script, mistaken for Method acting, impresses the producer, Dabney Shaw (played by Larry Miller), landing him a screen test in Los Angeles. There, at the Christmas party, he crosses paths with "Gay" Perry van Shrike (played by Val Kilmer), private detective and Shaw's trusted consultant. In order to prepare for his upcoming role, Perry invites Lockhart to join him on a stakeout during one of his cases. Meanwhile, Lockhart also meets Harmony Fate Lane (Michelle Monaghan), an aspiring actress who used to be his high school sweetheart while they were growing up in small town in Indiana. Both Perry and Harmony, together with Harry, get entangled in a murder mystery that may be linked to the wealthy former actor Harlan Dexter (played by Corbin Bernsen).

The creation of Kiss Kiss Bang Bang? was the result of a long and arduous process, beginning after the disappointing failure of Black's previous script, Long Kiss Goodnight, in 1996. Determined to venture into new genre territory, Black transformed his original romantic comedy script into a crime film that pays homage and parodies the classics of film noir. Set against the backdrop of contemporary Hollywood, the film also afforded Black the opportunity to exercise some personal demons, with a big party scene actually being shot in his own house and another scene commenting on studio changing the ending of his previous script Lethal Weapon 2.

Moreover, the film's satirical treatment of Hollywood allowed Black to infuse it with a meta quality, as Lockhart frequently breaks the fourth wall and provides running commentary on the various elements of the script. This, coupled with the film's cynical but inventive dialogue, makes Kiss Kiss Bang Bang an unusual and extra entertaining ride. However, this self-indulgence may ultimately deter viewers who aren't hardcore cinephiles.

Unfortunately, Black is not as proficient a director as he is a screenwriter. While he does an adequate job, he struggles to maintain the film's tone. The cinematography by Michael Barrett is at times too dark and makes the convoluted plot even more confusing for viewers who don't pay close attention.

Nevertheless, what ultimately rescues this film is its excellent cast. Robert Downey Jr. delivers a brilliant performance as the cynical protagonist, often finding himself in situations that are beyond his capabilities. He later stated that the role of Harold was his favorite in his entire career, and it played an important role in landing him the role of Tony Stark in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Downey has excellent "buddy buddy" chemistry with Val Kilmer, who relishes playing a tough private detective who subverts genre expectations by being gay. Kilmer is especially effective when his character uses this homosexuality to get out of tricky situations.

Michelle Monaghan is also one of the film's greatest assets, delivering a nearly perfect combination of charm, wit, and sex appeal, including brief nude scene, in her role as Harmony. She establishes good "screwball" dynamics between her character and Harold.

Despite its flaws, which may lead some viewers to wonder if Kiss Kiss Bang Bang would have been an undisputed classic with a more experienced director, it remains a very entertaining film that didn't deserve to fare poorly at the box office. With its sharp dialogue, inventive plotting, and superb cast performances, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang stands as a worthy entry in the annals of 2000s cinema, even if it falls short of being the grand classic it aspired to be.

RATING: 7/10 (+++)

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