Living up to the zaniness of its title, the new film “Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice” is a proudly bonkers concoction that’s impossible to fit in any single genre box. Originating in the mind of writer-director BenDavid Grabinski, this consistently entertaining mash-up is an action crime comedy seasoned with a dash of science-fiction. But most surprising is the film’s big heart and unexpected charm that turns a silly creation into a strangely endearing experience.

While the movie is lively, inventive, and full of personality, it’s the sparkling chemistry between its central leads that forms the sturdy foundation for everything else. James Marsden, Eiza González, Vince Vaughn, and….Vince Vaughn maintain a terrific rapport that generates a number big laughs while also striking a human chord with the audience. The story is a little messy in spots. But Grabinski never loses his focus or his control, not matter how crazy things get.

This high-concept romp introduces us to Nick (Vaughn), a gangster and loan shark who is friends with an enforcer named Mike (James Marsden). Both work for a mob boss named Sosa (the always delightful Keith David) who is throwing a night of wild parties for his dim-witted son Jimmy (Jimmy Tatro) who was just released from prison. Sosa invites his partygoers to have a good time but informs them that he knows who set up Jimmy and they will get their comeuppance.

Sosa’s warning startles the gathering, including Mike and Nick who decide to skip the rest of the festivities. The two friends make an entertaining pair with Vaughn and Marsden bringing a ton of personality to their characters. But one terrible secret could turn the two chums against each other. What’s the secret? Well, Mike is having an affair with Nick’s wife Alice (Eiza González) who has had enough of her husband’s negligence.

Mike and Alice have made the decision to run away together. But just as they’re about to leave, Nick shows up at Mike’s apartment needing help on a job. A nervous Mike is certain he’s about to be put on ice. But instead, Nick needs Mike to help him kidnap a mystery man who turns out to be….Nick. Are you following me so far? Even if you are, you’re probably wondering, “What the heck is Grabinski doing here?

Without giving away too much, a version of Nick from the future has traveled back in time to stop present-day Nick from making a mistake he will regret for the rest of his life. It involves both Mike and Alice, and Nick will need their help if he is to have any chance of pulling it off. Now how does time travel fit in? We get some brief backstory involving Alice’s close friend Symon (Ben Schwartz) who takes mob money and secretly builds a time machine. It’s an outrageous sidebar that is more comical than it has any right to be.

From there “Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice” bops along with an almost carefree spirit. As it does Grabinski throws everything into the pot: some good laughs, intense action, crazy side characters, a handful of killer needle drops, and even a touch of heartwarming romance. There’s no way it all should gel as well as it does. Yet it mostly clicks thanks to its lights-out cast, a wacky imagination, and a playful energy that’s only matched by its infectious charm. “Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice” is streaming now on Hulu.

VERDICT – 3.5 STARS