Kiss Kiss Bang Bang *** (2005, Robert Downey Jr, Val Kilmer, Michelle Monaghan) – Classic Movie Review 1669

Robert Downey Jr appears with his son Indio in this tongue-in-cheek 2005 hardboiled crime comedy, written and directed by Shane Black, also starring Val Kilmer, Michelle Monaghan and Corbin Bernsen. Indio plays Downey’s character Harry Lockhart at the age of nine.

In Black’s dark and cynical screenplay, with his screen story partly based on Brett Halliday’s novel Bodies Are Where You Find Them, a murder mystery brings together a private eye (Kilmer), a down-on-her luck actress (Monaghan) and a thief masquerading as an actor (Downey Jr).

Downey’s character Harry Lockhart is paired up with Kilmer’s Gay Perry to observe him in his work as a gumshoe and they hook up with Monaghan’s Harmony Faith Lane, who brings a case for the sleuths. 

The stars’ ideal performances and chemistry, plus the script’s witty dialogue and successful film noir spoof add up to a good time. But, despite strong reviews, it took only $4million in the US, and struggled up to break even at the worldwide box office with a total $15million take.

Black, making his impressive debut here as director, became famous in the 80s and 90s for writing the hit buddy action movies Lethal Weapon (1987), The Last Boy Scout (1991), The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996). He co-wrote and directed Iron Man 3 in 2013.

As a sign of support to Downey Jr’s recovery from alcohol and drugs, Kilmer took a break from drinking during the production.

Indio was arrested in June 2014 in West Hollywood and pleaded guilty to cocaine possession and was ordered to spend 90 days in a residential drug treatment programme.

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© Derek Winnert 2014 Classic Movie Review 1669

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