Starring: Robert Downey Jr, Val Kilmer, Michelle Monaghan, Corbin Bernsen
Cert: 15

Harry Lockhart (Downey Jr) is a small-time crook and during his latest caper (a last minute Christmas 'shop') his partner in crime is gunned down and he leaves him for, if not, dead then certainly caught.

During Harry's escape from the law he stumbles in on a film audition and gives a staggeringly moving, impromptu performance in front of the director and so gets the lead role in their next film.

Later, in Los Angeles, Harry is already disillusioned by the shallowness displayed by the Hollywood jet-set and during another party is introduced to private eye, 'Gay' Perry (Kilmer) who is to give him PI lessons for his role. By chance he bumps into childhood friend and crush, Harmony (Monaghan), who he tells he is a private investigator.

After a miserable attempt to get off with her, Harry and Perry go on a stake out only to discover a murdered body in the trunk of a ditched car.

Harmony returns because her sister has arrived in LA and 'committed suicide', although she believes it's murder so seeks Harry's (non-existent) services. He is only happy to oblige if it means he might be able to get closer to her.

Then the dead body turns up in his shower.

And then things start to get really complicated as kidnapping and conspiracies join the mix.

Probably one of the best films to have been passed over in 2005; Kiss Kiss Bang Bang sees a brilliant revival for Downey Jr and Kilmer who have both suffered setbacks in their careers.

Downey Jr is a low-life with high ideals about himself and the World around him; both of which continually fall short of his expectations. He rattles off smart-arsed one liners every time he opens his mouth in a city where quips and put-downs are the primary language.

Kilmer plays the hard-nosed PI (whose sexuality is a secondary issue) whom, like it seems with everyone around him, has become jaded and insensitive by superficiality. Slowly his professionalism returns as the case ravels and Harry shows him that there is something worthy of risking his life for.

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is a throwback to the days of Sam Spade and Mike Hammer; a story positively marinaded for twenty-four hours in noir and served with huge helpings of sassy wit and intelligent scripting. There's Downey Jr's voice-over narration that offers backstory, elucidates the reveals and continually amuses between the action. Director, Shane Black, allows Harry Lockhart to manipulate the action onscreen as it is, after all, his story and we must see it through his eyes. So, as narrator, he can give direction to flashback extras, divert the flow of the narrative and even make stuff up.

It's unashamedly gritty and doesn't flinch at some of the more violent sequences (most of which are inflicted upon Harry) but that just catalyses the black humour. At times it's cartoonish violence with people being slapped around and shot and then Black brings it back to reality with a dose of gravitas and emotion which the cast are more than capable of handling.

Special Features:
None.
Not a sausage.
Which is not only a shame because it's a film that looks like it might have been a lot of fun to make so a cast commentary could be great but also a bit odd seeing that it did slip through the cinemas so quietly. You would have thought they would put together more of a package to appeal to the ignorant masses.

But this is one of those rare films that is worth watching and owning despite the lack of features. It's an absolute 'must see' for anyone into the classic detective films and anyone who enjoyed the likes of Get Shorty and Lucky Number Slevin.