Nick and Nicky

"NICK AND NICKY" (yes, the dog is Nora) I had the privilege of watching a new comedy/mystery feature written by and starring the highly talented, Patrick Askin! An old time 'who done it' with a modern tint. Clever conversation, story, and wit...visually beautiful. Donna McKenna cast Ian Whitt, Sean Young, Malachy McCourt, Consuelo Costin (Vanderbilt), Deborah Twiss, Tyler Hollinger, Glen North, Drew Henriksen, to name a few. Directed by Marcus Slabine. I had been invited to interview for the TV show, Stage Screen and In Between with Helen, while they were on location filming at the Vanderbilt Museum in Long Island, N. Y. Thank you, Patrick, for that honor. I am so impressed with how this movie turned out! Be on the lookout for NICK AND NICKY on an impressive platform!

Nick & Nicky! Oh my gosh, I can't WAIT for everyone to see this movie. This film is an old-timey murder mystery wrapped in a riddle. And by "riddle" I mean, high-end camp couture gay cult comedy classic! It's literally so much fun. I already want to watch this movie a million times.

At its core it's a murdery who-done-it keep-you-on-your-high-heels type investigation. The main character, Nick (Patrick Askin) is roped into solving the murder of his ex lover's lover and his soon-to-be (adorable) husband, Nicky (Ian Whitt) is not super keen on the idea at first.

But also, like, what murder? A lavish christmas party that only a wealthy gay New York City couple could pull off sets the stage for the over-the-top characters, clever writing, and old-fashioned romance that fills each well-thought-out scene throughout the movie. The first two-thirds of the movie is filled with camp, fashion, Sound of Music references, well-structured jawlines and well-written comedy that the actual murder almost feels secondary in the beginning (Though every once in a while, Boom! You're hit a blood-splattering plot twist).

And the characters: Trevor (Glen North), for example, whose lover was murdered, plays so perfectly over-the-top that it's hilarious. Is it gay camp over-the-top? Or is it exactly the way a 1930's movie damsel in despair would act? It's both and it's freakin brilliant. But the romance between Nick and Nicky is also so reminiscent of those old movies. It's unbreakable and sweet, but layered with the difficult gay-marriage climate of today (though not as difficult now, but still). And there are so many more; the newsie, the twins, the parents! (Oh my god, the parents, you guys), the old lady, the priest. There are many.

The last third of the movie jolts you into chandelier draped dinner party where the mystery of the murder starts to unravel. Thankfully, any murdery plot points you may have missed because you were (I was) chuckling about the funny way Nick holds a glass or the fallacious decor of a clueless old lady (I NEED to see this again), he sums it up while keeping you guessing.

It's an indie movie, and it's out and proud of it. Not unlike the cleverly well-written character-driven Emmy Award-winning show Schitt's Creek, Nick & Nicky was left alone to be what it is and we're so blessed because of it.

It's so much fun, and I can't wait for everyone to see this.

If you're going to update "The Thin Man", you have got to do something different. Director Marcus Slabine & screenwriter Patrick Askin have certainly done that. "Nick and Nicky" is a fun, boozy whodunit with memorable characters and lively dialog. Mr. Askin is charming as Nick, the never-without-a-cocktail private eye who must solve a series of murders before his wedding to Nicky (an appealing Ian Whitt). The supporting cast shines in this film, particularly Sean Young as Nicky's acerbic mom, Tyler Hollinger as a manic tabloid reporter and especially Deborah Twiss as the police detective who reluctantly teams up with Nick.

As with all good mysteries, the culprit is revealed at an elegant dinner party. This is the highlight of the film, as Nick must weed his way through a considerable contingent of colorful suspects to get to the guilty party.

So grab a drink, enjoy and please pay special attention to the distinctive décor found in one suspect's salon. I believe this might be a first for cinema.

Who says they don't make them like they used to!! They've literally brought back the classics with this twist on the mad-ball comedy/mystery film. Nick and Nicky has a delightful cast, witty dialogue and clever whodunit plot. Glorious "technicolor" costumes and sets and Manhattan in all it's glory! What else can you want......Cary Grant and Randolph Scott?

Reminiscent of the 30s and 40s whodunit spoofs, this film updates the story with a gay twist following Nick and Nicky as they solve a murder. Fun, colorful, and thoroughly enjoyable.