Review of The Bang Bang Gang (1970) by Kevin M. W — 08 Aug 2014

While Downey, Kilmer and Mognahan all deliver spot on, nuanced performances the real star here is director/writer Shane Black who's knowledge, vision, and insight power this neo-noir past the usual fish-out-of-water detective cliches (Downey as a small town petty burglar and nicest guy in the film posing as an film actor posing as a private detective posing as the narrator of the film in big city L.

A. for the first time) into a compliment/indictment of the movie community (like hating the one you love or loving the one you hate or something like that). Well informed and absolutely riotous. The story ceases to make sense or even to matter and I didn't care.

It's a lovingly cynical film by a cynical guy about a cynical town in that most cynical of film motifs, the noir. I actually don't think Downey has played any other character but this one since this has been made.