Watch Once Upon a Time in Venice

Once Upon a Time in Venice is a hilarious and inventive crime comedy that stars an all-star ensemble cast led by Bruce Willis, John Goodman and Jason Momoa. The movie was directed by Mark Cullen, who also co-wrote the script with his brother Robb Cullen. The story follows Venice Beach private detective Steve Ford (Bruce Willis) who likes to live life by his own rules, and has a reputation for overzealously protecting his clients, even if that means breaking the law. Steve's world is turned upside down when his beloved dog Buddy is stolen by a notorious gang led by Spider (Jason Momoa), whom Steve has previously crossed paths with.

Determined to get Buddy back, Steve embarks on a wild and escalating adventure through the streets of Los Angeles, encountering all sorts of colorful characters along the way. He enlists the help of his best friend Dave (John Goodman), a surf shop owner who provides Steve with some of his most outrageous schemes to get Buddy back.

As Steve navigates through the seedy underbelly of Los Angeles, he finds himself embroiled in a series of misadventures, including sabotaging a drug deal, impersonating a Mexican drug lord, and breaking into a mansion party filled with Hollywood elites.

The humor in Once Upon a Time in Venice is raunchy, irreverent, and often profane. Yet, it still manages to maintain a level of charm and heart that makes it an enjoyable watch. Despite being a crime comedy, the movie has a warm and endearing quality to it that sets it apart from other films in the genre.

The performances from the cast are fantastic, with Willis delivering a versatile and engaging performance as Steve. He showcases his comedic timing by playing the straight man amidst the chaos and absurdity that surrounds him. Goodman also shines as Dave, providing a much-needed foil to Steve's manic energy.

Momoa, who is often cast as a muscle-bound action hero, breaks out of his mold and displays a tremendous amount of comedic ability as Spider. He's a formidable presence on screen, but his character's goofy mannerisms and mispronunciations make for some of the movie's funniest moments.

Other notable performances come from Famke Janssen, who plays Steve's love interest, and Kal Penn, who plays Steve's assistant John.

Once Upon a Time in Venice doesn't rely simply on slapstick humor to entertain. The filmmakers infuse the movie with clever nods to classic films, including The Big Lebowski and The French Connection, adding another layer to the humor.

The film's soundtrack also sets the tone perfectly, blending classic and contemporary tracks that match the pace and energy of the movie. The music, along with the cinematography, captures the vibrant and eclectic energy of Los Angeles, adding to the overall enjoyment of the story.

In conclusion, Once Upon a Time in Venice is a highly entertaining and refreshingly unique crime comedy that offers a breezy and amusing escape. The movie thrives on its cast's chemistry and non-stop laughs, making it a must-watch for fans of the genre.

Once Upon a Time in Venice is a 2017 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 34 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.3 and a MetaScore of 28.