Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang (2005)
89%RT Audience Score: 87%
Awards & Nominations: 5 wins & 16 nominations
Tongue-in-cheek satire blends well with entertaining action and spot-on performances in this dark, eclectic neo-noir homage.
Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang is like a rollercoaster ride that you don’t want to end. The plot may be a bit confusing, but who cares when you’re having this much fun? Robert Downey Jr. and Val Kilmer are a dynamic duo that will have you laughing out loud. The film is a perfect mix of action, comedy, and noir, with plenty of nods to the genre. It’s a movie that doesn’t take itself too seriously, and that’s what makes it so enjoyable. So, grab some popcorn and get ready for a wild ride with Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang!
Production Company(ies)
Agi Orsi Productions, Forever Films, Quicksilver Entertainment,
Distributor
Warner Bros. Pictures
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Monumental sculpture “Double Ascension” 1973 Herbert Bayer 505 South Flower St, Los Angeles, California USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for language, violence and sexuality/nudity
Year of Release
2005
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:DTS Dolby Digital SDDS
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Aspect ratio:2.39 : 1
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Runtime:1h 42m
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Nov 11, 2005 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 13, 2006
Genre(s)
Lgbtq+
Keyword(s)
starring Robert Downey Jr, Val Kilmer, Michelle Monaghan, Corbin Bernsen, Dash Mihok, Larry Miller, directed by Shane Black, written by Shane Black, produced by Shane Black, Joel Silver, neo-noir, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Pauline Kael, R rating, crime, mystery, Hollywood, private eye, satire, action, comedy, LGBTQ+, violence, sexuality, nudity, language, Warner Bros Pictures, 2005, Harry Lockhart, Gay Perry, Harmony Faith Lane, Harlan Dexter, Mr Frying Pan, Dabney Shaw, film noir, parody, film critic, essays, convoluted plot, homage, subversion, witty, hilarious, film score, Christmas, will-they-won’t-they romance, solid directorial debut, The Nice Guys, crime-noir
Worldwide gross: $15,785,148
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $24,056,302
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,637
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 2,623,370
US/Canada gross: $4,243,756
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $6,467,413
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,735
US/Canada opening weekend: $180,660
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $275,323
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,564
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $15,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $22,859,750
Production budget ranking: 1,298
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $12,309,975
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): -$11,113,423
ROI to date (est.): -32%
ROI ranking: 1,570
Val Kilmer – Gay Perry
Michelle Monaghan – Harmony Faith Lane
Corbin Bernsen – Harlan Dexter
Dash Mihok – Mr. Frying Pan
Larry Miller – Dabney Shaw
Director(s)
Shane Black
Writer(s)
Shane Black
Producer(s)
Shane Black, Joel Silver
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
5 wins & 16 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (183) | Top Critics (58) | Fresh (157) | Rotten (26)
The plot of the film is almost willfully convoluted. But it’s also largely beside the point, an excuse for quite a few good scenes, most of them equal parts homage and subversion.
December 14, 2014
Christopher Orr
The Atlantic
TOP CRITIC
Kiss Kiss is such a delightful bombardment, we barely notice that Black’s convoluted, serpentine plot doesn’t make a lick of sense.
December 14, 2014 | Rating: B+
Craig Outhier
Orange County Register
TOP CRITIC
A sarky, sniping film noir homage that assassinates the character of every LA archetype you could imagine.
December 14, 2014
Wendy Ide
Times (UK)
TOP CRITIC
A self-referential noir-screwball-action movie that never wears out its welcome — although it delights in taking that risk, over and over again.
December 14, 2014 | Rating: 4/5
Philippa Hawker
The Age (Australia)
TOP CRITIC
It’s funny and it’s exciting.
December 14, 2014 | Rating: 4/5
David Stratton
At the Movies (Australia)
TOP CRITIC
Jumpy and ironic, Downey is a quicksilver delight and Kilmer is funny as the gay Perry.
December 4, 2013
David Ansen
Newsweek
TOP CRITIC
Although the novelty of a protagonist whos aware hes in a noir thriller grows tiresome, the comic banter between Downey Jr. and Kilmer remains priceless for much of the film.
April 15, 2022 | Rating: 3/4
Brian Eggert
Deep Focus Review
Funny, violent, smart and pitched perfectly to anyone who wants their own sun-blasted dirtbag Christmas mystery, this could be your It’s A Wonderful Life.
September 10, 2021
Jason Shawhan
Nashville Scene
Self-aware, making plenty of nods to its existence both as a mere movie and as something outside the strictly defined realm of invention, it’s fortunately never overbearing.
October 9, 2020 | Rating: 7/10
Mike Massie
Gone With The Twins
Dark, witty and wickedly funny.
October 8, 2020
Charlotte Harrison
Charlotte Sometimes Goes to the Movies
Despite all the blood and gore, Kiss/Bang ends up being a remarkably good-natured and surprisingly moralistic little film.
May 9, 2020
Robert Julian
Bay Area Reporter
Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang is a film that is unjustly ignored. [Full Review in Spanish]
November 5, 2019 | Rating: 3.5/5
Eulàlia Iglesias
Sensacine…
Plot
A petty thief posing as an actor is brought to Los Angeles for an unlikely audition and finds himself in the middle of a murder investigation along with his high school dream girl and a detective who’s been training him for his upcoming role…
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Val Kilmer’s performance as Gay Perry is considered one of his funniest roles.
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