Best film in the last 5 years...really

Rating: 9/10 (14 February 2020)

Don't believe me..don't care. I can't get enough of it. I've seen it multiple times and it just doesn't wear out. Gosling and Crowe have great chemistry...the former's best role and a good comeback for the latter. The dialogue back and forth between the two is seamless as is the blend of flaw and quirkiness in each of their characters. Very well done by those two and by Black, who brought out their best in each scene.
The rest of the cast is very well chosen and given some great lines to work with. All of the characters you meet along the way only add to the weave (not a fan of Kim Basinger in it, though), especially Angourie Rice, who truly adds that perfect touch to the whole thing. I know some folks find the situations that this youngish girl is exposed to way too risqué, and I understand. However, she acts more mature than her age throughout and pulls it off without it being creepy...in fact the level of aplomb and thoughtfulness displayed by the character and actress takes the edge right out of it.
The late '70s are perfectly captured throughout in scene, attitude and soundtrack. In so many ways it gave you that feeling of being back there again in just about every scene. I saw my first car..an almost exact copy. The music matched perfectly with the flow all the way through and may rival the soundtracks from Boogie Nights and Guardians of the Galaxy.
Last but not least, the way that Shane Black moved seamlessly from scene to scene without a real pause, yet always building to a satisfying climax just fit so well with the rest of the elements that it makes the whole movie just..enjoyable. Great stuff..too bad it didn't do well enough to warrant a second one.