Have you ever watched a film that left you scratching your head and eager to dive back in for a second viewing? Such is the case with the 2005 neo-noir comedy flick, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. And when you think of unforgettable on-screen duos, the hilarious chemistry between Robert Downey Jr. (Harry) and Val Kilmer (Perry) in this flick instantly comes to mind. Don’t they?
Directed and written by Shane Black, this movie brings together an odd couple in the form of a small-time burglar, Harry Lockhart, and a sharp-witted private investigator, Gay Perry van Shrike.
Set against the glittering backdrop of LA, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang takes viewers on a wild ride through a maze of murder mysteries and mistaken identities. It’s no small feat that Kilmer’s powerhouse performance had fans questioning why he didn’t walk away with major award nominations, especially after delivering acclaimed funny zingers.
One standout scene highlights the electric dynamic between Downey Jr. and Kilmer when Harry tosses Perry’s prized $2,000 ceramic Vektor into a lake. This prompted a fiery response from Kilmer’s character.
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang: How Val Kilmer Made Us Forget Robert Downey Jr. in One Scene
In the labyrinthine world of neo-noir comedy, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is a twisty treat that plays with its own genre conventions like a magician with a deck of cards. Back in 2020, Robert Downey Jr. proclaimed Shane Black’s neo-noir comedy as his finest work to date on The Joe Rogan Experience.
With a twinkle in his eye and a grin that says he’s in on the joke, the Iron Man actor stars as Harry Lockhart, a small-time crook whose life takes a left turn straight into the movie industry. What starts as a getaway from a crime scene morphs into an unexpected acting gig in LA.
Harry, our hapless hero, finds himself entangled with the ever-cynical private eye, Gay Perry, played with biting wit and charm by Val Kilmer. Their on-screen partnership is a masterclass in comedic timing. In one memorable scene, Harry inadvertently tosses Perry’s $2,000 ceramic Vektor handgun into a lake (see YouTube).
Perry’s reaction is priceless, as he said:
My $2,000 ceramic Vektor my mother got me as a special gift. You threw in the lake next to the car. What happens when they drag the lake? You think they’ll find my pistol? Jesus.
His frustration is tangible, as is his quip, “Look up ‘idiot’ in the dictionary. You know what you’ll find?”. This is followed by Harry’s guess: “A picture of me?” and again Perry’s retort, “No, the definition of the word ‘idiot,’ which you f*cking are!”.
Despite the film’s $15 million haul (Box Office Mojo), Kilmer’s powerhouse performance in this scene left fans scratching their heads as to why the actor didn’t receive major award nods. Let’s have a look at a few comments:
Ironically, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang was given the ‘Overlooked Film of the Year’ award by the 2005 Phoenix Film Critics Society—proving that even a film with a title as explosive as this one can sometimes get lost in the shuffle.
Val Kilmer’s Best Memories with Kiss Kiss Bang Bang co-star Robert Downey Jr.
In an interview with Ian Winterton, Val Kilmer and Robert Downey Jr. reminisced about their time on set, where improvisation became a key ingredient. The Tombstone actor, 64, with a mischievous glint in his eye, shared how Downey’s character’s supposed lack of smarts provided ample fodder for his ad-libs:
He’s actually very smart but because he’s acting dumb he can’t say anything back to me.
Downey, for his part, showered praise on his co-star, marveling at Kilmer’s ability to conjure memorable moments on the fly.
He’s Val godd**m Kilmer.. He’s amazing. The stuff he came up with on the spot was great.
The synergy between Kilmer and Downey, masterfully orchestrated by director Shane Black, turned Kiss Kiss Bang Bang into a cinematic gem.
If you’re a fan of buddy comedies and thrilling murder mysteries, then Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is the movie for you; it has it all – action, humor, suspense. And even a little bit of Christmas cheer thrown in for good measure!
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang can be rented on Apple TV.
