Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, 2005, Robert Downey Jr., Val Kilmer
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is a 2005 crime/comedy film, which follows many conventions of the classic film noir genre. It is based, in part, on the novel Bodies Are Where You Find Them by Brett Halliday. The screenplay was written by Shane Black who also directed the film. It was produced by Joel Silver, Carrie Morrow, Susan Levin and Steve Richards. The cast includes Robert Downey Jr., Val Kilmer and Michelle Monaghan as well as Corbin Bernsen, Dash Mihok, Larry Miller, Rockmond Dunbar, Shannyn Sossamon and Angela Lindvall. The title is a reference to Pauline Kael's 1968 book, which in turn was named after a translation of an Italian poster of a James Bond movie, which she called "perhaps the briefest statement imaginable of the basic appeal of the movies."
It was filmed in Los Angeles between February 24 and May 3, 2004. After debuting at the Cannes Film Festival in France on May 14, it received a limited release in cinemas in late October and early November of 2005.
The film was significantly praised, but due to its limited release, was overlooked for major awards and was voted "Overlooked Film of the Year" by the 2005 Phoenix Film Critics Society on December 20, 2005.
Many critics admired the film for its sharp and clever comedy, as well as alluding to Black's directing and Downey Jr. and Kilmer's performances. Mike Russell of the Portland Oregonian observed that, "This is one of Downey's most enjoyable performances, and one of Kilmer's funniest. It's a relationship comedy wrapped in sharp talk and gunplay, a triumphant comeback for Black, and one of the year's best movies". Jeff Otto, an IGN critic, wrote that "It takes a bunch of genres and twists them into a blender, a pop relic that still feels current...one of the best times I've had at the movies this year."
Despite the film's mainly positive reviews, it failed to garner much attention at the United States or international box office.
The film opened on October 20 in the United States, with a limited release. From its release until mid-November, the film's distribution increased every weekend due to its favorable critical reviews. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang stayed in release in the United States until early January. The film earned a total of $4,243,756 in the United States.
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang grossed far more outside the United States, accounting for just over 70% of the film's worldwide gross, accumulating $11,357,375. The film ended up earning $15,785,148 worldwide at cinema.Wikipedia
