Alien at the Movies

Russell Crowe & Ryan Gosling star in this comedy/drama buddy cop/detective film that's a blast-from-the-past journey back to 1977 L.A. One is an alcoholic inept two-bit gumshoe/single dad and the other is a overweight no-nonsense sucker-punching enforcer. They team up when their separate cases involve a missing girl, Amelia. Crowe & Gosling are excellent but you have never seen them like this before. In this hilarious period piece, Gosling evens channels the late great Lou Costello at one point. Witty dialogus, spectacular stunts, the running jokes, & surprising sight gags will keep you intrigued in this slapstick/murder mystery with a political agenda & ties to the porn industry. The 13 year-old daughter (Angourie Rice) steals her scenes as a kind of a "Veronica Mars" junior type. Rated "R" for language, violence, & nudity. If you love the 70's, you'll probably love this unique film filled references to that era.

Alien gives it 3 ½ "Misty Mountains" stars out of 4.