Directed by: BenDavid Grabinski
Written by: BenDavid Grabinski
Starring: Vince Vaughn, James Marsden, Eiza González, Keith David, Jimmy Tatro
Rating: [3.5/5]
Everyone makes mistakes and reacts in ways to situations they wish they could take back. Unfortunately, we do not get a do-over, an opportunity, to go back in time and change what we did in the past, no matter how much one can wish for it. In Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice, one of the several individuals listed gets the opportunity to redeem themselves in this manner, which all culminates in an entertaining watch.
Celebrating the release of his adopted son from prison, mob boss Sosa (Keith David) learns that the identity of the informant who put away his son has been discovered. Quick Draw Mike (James Marsden) wants to leave Sosa’s organization and, after helping his fellow criminal, Nick (Vince Vaughn) on a job, learns he has been framed as the informant.
For better or worse, John Wick has ushered in an explosion in the genre of settings where an underground network of assassins with their own rules and ways of life exist. They all vary in quality, but then you get a nice little gem like Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice that opts for the straight-up comedic route and it paid wonderful dividends as its silliness paired with its strong cast for such a fun viewing experience.
In a world such as this one, it comes as no surprise plenty of deception goes on and this happens right from the onset when learning that Mike’s having an affair with Nick’s wife, Alice (Eiza González). Therefore, it makes Mike tense when Nick asks him to go on this secret job with him. Mike, understandably, has a fear of Nick having knowledge of this affair and utilizing this kob as a ruse to get them alone for some revenge. The film reveals a completely different story than one could possible anticipate, hence why a specific name is repeated twice in the title.
Where this film succeeds is in its comedy, specifically through Vince Vaughn’s performance. Whenever this man matches with the right script and hits a particular flow state, he can do no wrong. His specific form of delivery works so well within this world, especially when compared to the other assassins who are larger than life in their portrayals. He dually serves as the heart and comedic pulse of this film. It pairs well with James Marsden and Eiza González, who play much more straightforward characters simply reacting to this strange circumstance they have found themselves in.
This film continually strikes a strong balance between its violence and comedy, especially when we get to the latter stages. We see this particularly with Jimmy Tatro, who I have only seen play the exact same character in every film, but he plays this type of guy so well. The not-so-smart but effortlessly funny guy fits him well, and his portrayal of Jimmy Boy and the trajectory he goes on during his first night out of jail was hilarious. While there’s plenty of humor, the film does not forget to remind you of the deadly capabilities each of these individuals possess.
Much of the credit for the success of this film must go to writer/director BenDavid Grabinski. Having never seen any of his previous work, he proves through this film that he has a snappy way of writing dialogue that worked perfectly for the cast he assembled. Everything regarding the structure of this film and how he managed to balance heartwarming, overtly violent, and comedic moments demonstrates great control, as we never lose sight of the core of this story despite the different parties and after-parties that transpire. It makes it slightly disappointingthat we have a somewhat cop-out finale. It makes me think it was a studio note, but nonetheless, he certainly impressed here.
If you like assassins, snappy jokes, and fun characters, then try Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice. The quartet of James Marsden, Vince Vaughn, Vince Vaughn, and Eiza González all work together exceptionally well as they devise a way for the night to end different than it did in a previous timeline and all of the potential pitfalls ahead of them. Plenty of laughs to be had as an awesome cast coupled with strong work by its writer/director pieces together a thoroughly enjoyable production.
Films with Josh 
