Kiss Kiss Bang Bang

Shane Black, USA, 2005, 103 minutes

A deliciously hilarious black comedy, featuring Robert Downey Jr (YUM!) in one of his best roles. He stars as a robber turned slightly unwilling private investigator who teams up with a gay Val Kilmer (brilliant!) in order to solve a murder case. Downey Jr’s school friend-turned-love interest (Michelle Monaghan) also becomes involved and the three put themselves in danger trying to uncover the culprit. The film is filled with delightful comic moments and the relationship between Downey Jr and Kilmer is both touching and hilarious at the same time.

Once again Shane Black (who is also responsible for the Lethal Weapon films and The Long Kiss Goodnight) shows how adept he is at writing screenplays with an underlying, but not overly obvious comic tone. This film is a must-see for anyone with a slightly dark sense of humour who love films with a witty, if slightly sarcastic narrator.

Review by
Written for EUFS Programme Spring 2009