Two cops clashing while solving a case is a familiar trope in the action-comedy genre, and Netflix’s new film Nice Girls embraces it with a fresh twist. The story follows Léo, who is desperately searching for her friend, missing for ten days. When she discovers that her friend has been murdered, the case is handed over to a German super-cop, Mélanie. Reluctantly, Léo and Mélanie are forced into an uneasy partnership to solve the case, as it becomes personal for both of them. Will they manage to uncover the truth behind the crime?
Written by Antoine Dallancour, Philippe Planells and Noémie Saglio, the film has a runtime of around 90 minutes.
Nice Girls Movie Cast
Noémie Lvovsky, Alice Taglioni, Baptiste Lecaplain, Stéfi Celma, Antoine Duléry, Katrina Durden, Franz Lang, Jan Oliver Schroeder and others
Nice Girls 2024 Director
Noémie Saglio
Nice Girls Release Date
August 21, 2024
-No Spoilers-
Nice Girls Review
Nice Girls bursts onto the scene with the promise of delivering a high-octane action-comedy set against the glitzy, alluring backdrop of France. The film centres around Léo, a bold and unyielding cop determined to unravel the mystery behind her colleague Ludo’s murder in Hamburg. Her mission takes an unexpected turn when she’s paired with Mélanie, a strikingly attractive and overly-trained German super-cop.
What initially seems like a recipe for a refreshing twist on the classic buddy-cop formula quickly stumbles into the pitfalls of predictability, leaving the narrative emotionally flat and lacking the dynamism the genre demands. Despite its vibrant setting and energetic premise, this movie struggles to rise above the clichés, offering little more than a standard action flick with missed opportunities for deeper engagement.
From the get-go, the movie feels like it’s checking off a list of genre tropes. Léo is the classic hot-headed detective who doesn’t play by the rules, while Mélanie is the sleek, by-the-book professional, but deep down is she really that? Their inevitable clash feels forced, and while the banter between the two leads has its moments, it often comes off as contrived rather than genuinely witty.
The film’s biggest flaw lies in its predictability. The plot centred around uncovering a conspiracy that could shake the foundations of government, is so overdone that it borders on tedious. Every twist and turn is telegraphed well in advance, leaving little room for genuine surprise. The action sequences, though competently executed, feel like they’re on autopilot—lacking the adrenaline-pumping energy that could have elevated the movie.
While watching the film, I found that it lacked moments of genuine humour and failed to engage my curiosity about what might happen next. From Mélanie’s introduction as a so-called German cop to the climactic fight sequence, the storyline was overly predictable and seemed to rely on well-worn tropes and clichés. Everything felt too familiar, as though it had been tried and tested countless times before.
One aspect I did appreciate, however, was the brief glimpse of romance between Alice Taglioni and Baptiste Lecaplain. Although this subplot had potential, it felt underdeveloped and didn’t fully deliver the emotional depth I was hoping for. Overall, while the film had its moments, it struggled to break new ground and left me wanting more in terms of both plot and character development.
This movie struggles to connect on an emotional level. Despite the personal stakes for Léo, the film fails to convey the depth of her loss or the intensity of her drive to seek justice. The chemistry between Taglioni and Celma, while not entirely absent, doesn’t sizzle the way it should, leaving their partnership feeling more like a plot requirement than a natural progression of the story.
That’s not to say the movie is without its merits. The Riviera setting is undeniably beautiful, and there are a few moments of levity that land well. But these bright spots are few and far between, and they’re not enough to save the film from its overall lacklustre execution.
Final Thoughts
Nice Girls is a serviceable but forgettable entry in the action-comedy genre. It’s the kind of movie you might watch on a lazy evening when you’re not looking for anything too demanding, but it’s unlikely to leave a lasting impression. With a more original script and stronger emotional beats, this could have been a standout. Instead, it’s just another run-of-the-mill action flick that doesn’t quite live up to its potential.
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