Here’s the thing about BenDavid Grabinski’s terrific new film with the overlong title, Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice; it’s a crime movie, but kinda not really? It’s got a time machine, but isn’t really a sci-fi movie, either. This wildly unpredictable concoction is also damned hilarious, one of the best and funniest Hulu exclusives yet. With a surprising amount of pathos, a superb cast, and some kickass fights, the only real regret is that we don’t get to see it on the big screen. But if more people discover it from home on their couch, maybe we’ll get more films like this that are willing to be experimental.
If the title is confusing, the plot simplifies things a little. Vince Vaughn makes a much-needed comeback to comedy as Nick, a gangster who, through contrived, silly circumstances, enters a time machine. The future version of Nick is a mellow guy, deeply regretful over his past violent actions, especially towards his friend Mike, or Quick Draw Mike, played by James Marsden. In the present, Nick is a jealous, vindictive dickhead who set Mike up to be killed for being a snitch. Why? Because Mike is having an affair with Nick’s wife, Alice, played by Eiza Gonzalez. So now, future Nick has come to the present to save Mike, and he needs to convince current Nick to help out, otherwise the plan is doomed.
Get all of that? There’s actually a lot more going on, involving crime boss Sosa, played by the great Keith David, a series of wild afterparties for Sosa’s newly-released ex-con son, Jimmy Boy, played by Jimmy Tatro, and even a crooked cop played by Emily Hampshire. Did I mention there’s even a cannibal assassin on the loose? Shit gets pretty wild and watching all of these combustible elements bang off one another is a trip.
If the loose, potent energy and clashing of genres feels familiar, Grabinski was writer of the excellent animated Scott Pilgrim Takes Off series that so wonderfully captured the mood and spirit of the comics and movie. If you remember how much fun everyone seemed to be having while voicing that show, Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice feels the same way. Vaughn is clearly having a blast playing two completely different versions of Nick, and not only gets to riff with Marsden (the two have incredible comedic chemistry), but also with himself. It’s a reminder of just how good Vaughn is when given the right material. He’s never looked more like the comedy giant who led multiple blockbuster films. While at the same time, the film gives him plenty of blistering shootouts and slugfests, a reminder of his grittier stuff such as Brawl in Cell Block 99 and Dragged Across Concrete, both films that you should check out, by the way.
Vaughn isn’t alone. Marsden has never been this funny as Mike, who is in the awkward position of working with the guy who set him up to be killed, and also the guy whose wife he’s having an affair with. He’s just as adept with the fight choreography as Vaughn, too, while showing once again what a terrific leading man he is during his scenes with Gonzalez. Whether she’s sparring with Vaughn or canoodling with Marsden, Gonzalez is the glue that holds this crazy movie together. It’s a difficult balance not just for the actors, but for Grabinski, keeping the tone light while also making sure the life-or-death risks feel legit. Other than a final act twist that feels like an unnecssary cop-out, Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice nails just about everything. An action-comedy gem that even sports the iconic music from the Blade club scene, there’s no shortage of great things to say about this movie, including that it sets itself up nicely to become the next must-see franchise.
Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice hits Hulu and Disney+ on March 27th.
