Nice girls

Nice Girls, directed by Noémie Saglio, is a failed attempt to blend the detective genre with comic elements. Unfortunately, despite these ambitious aspirations, the film struggles to find its feet, resulting in a disappointing experience that fails to deliver on its promises.

The story centers on Leo (Alice Taglioni), an experienced cop from Nice, France, who is devastated by the murder of her friend, Ludo, in Hamburg. Determined to uncover the truth, she teams up with Mélanie (Stéfi Celma), a cop with whom she shares an uneasy alliance. Together, they navigate the twists and turns of a convoluted plot involving a climate change conspiracy and an imminent threat to the city of Nice. From the outset, the film attempts to establish a dynamic chemistry between its two protagonists, aiming for a mix of humor and tension. However, this chemistry is forced and unconvincing. Instead of gradually building trust and friendship, the film resorts to repetitive dialogue and awkward moments that fail to resonate emotionally.

Alice Taglioni and Stéfi Celma, two talented actresses, are unfortunately limited by a weak script and poorly developed characters. Taglioni's Leo is portrayed as tough and determined, but her character lacks depth, making it difficult for the audience to sympathize with her plight. Celma's Melanie, meanwhile, is portrayed as eager to please, but her character arc seems shallow and uninspired. The supporting cast, including Noémie Lvovsky and Baptiste Lecaplain, do little to enhance the film. The film's attempt to introduce a love interest subplot seems superfluous and unnecessary, further detracting from the main narrative. What's more, the film's antagonist, revealed in a last-minute twist, is unconvincing and leaves no lasting impression.

One of Nice Girls' few qualities lies in its action sequences, which, while not groundbreaking, are competently executed. The film features several chase and fight scenes that are suitably choreographed, offering brief moments of excitement in an otherwise dull narrative. However, these moments are fleeting and don't make up for the film's many shortcomings.

Visually, Nice Girls is a mixed bag. The film uses its Côte d'Azur setting, with some picturesque shots of Nice, but the cinematography lacks creativity, relying on standard techniques that fail to make the film stand out from the ordinary. The editing is equally uninspired, with the pace dragging, particularly in the second act.
As a comedy, Nice Girls constantly falls flat. The humor seems forced, with jokes that often miss their mark. The film attempts to balance comedy with action and drama, but the shifts in tone are shockingly mishandled. The comedic elements, instead of providing levity, often come across as clumsy and out of place, detracting from the film's overall coherence.

Nice Girls is a film that had potential but fails to deliver. The lack of chemistry between the lead actors, coupled with a convoluted plot and ineffective humor, results in a film that is neither entertaining nor memorable. While there are occasional bright spots, such as the action sequences, they aren't enough to save the film from mediocrity. The film is a missed opportunity - a film that tries to do too much but fails to excel in any of its chosen genres.

Nice girls
Directed by Noémie Saglio
Produced by Antoine Reinartz, Maxime Delauney
Written by Noémie Saglio, Antoine Dallancour and Philippe Planells
Starring Alice Taglioni, Stéfi Celma, Baptiste Lecaplain, Benjamin Baroche, Noémie Lvovsk, Antoine Duléry, Sandrine Vargas, Nicolas Limery, Timothée Vaganay, Kathrina Durden, Nyko
Music by Erwann Chandon
Cinematography : Lubomir Bakchev
Edited by Frédéric Baillehaiche
Production companies : Boogie Movie, Les Films du Kiosque, Petite Panthère Production
Distributed by Netflix
Release date : Augsut 21, 2024 (France, United States)
Running time : 90 minutes

Viewed on Aug 21, 2024 (Netflix)

Mulder's Mark: