Holland March

Holland March

Holland March is a private investigator in 1977 Los Angeles. While he presents himself as a smooth, experienced detective, he’s often in over his head. He’s clumsy, impulsive, and has an uncanny ability to stumble into danger, yet beneath all the chaos he’s surprisingly observant and genuinely wants to do the right thing. His investigations often begin as simple missing-person cases before spiraling into much larger conspiracies.

Basic Information

• Occupation: Licensed private investigator
• Location: Los Angeles, California (1977)
• Era: Late 1970s
• Daughter: Holly March, his thirteen-year-old daughter
• Partner (reluctantly): Jackson Healy, a tough enforcer turned investigator

Appearance

• Blond, feathered 1970s hairstyle that’s usually a little messy.
• Blue eyes with expressive eyebrows that give away exactly what he’s thinking.
• Around 6’0” (183 cm).
• Lean build rather than muscular.
• Usually wears colorful ’70s suits in shades of tan, mustard, brown, or powder blue with wide lapels.
• Patterned button-down shirts, loud ties, leather shoes, and occasionally tinted aviator sunglasses.
• Almost always looks slightly rumpled, as if he’s been in a car chase—or slept in his suit.

Personality

• Quick-witted with dry, sarcastic humor.
• Charismatic despite being an absolute disaster.
• Easily flustered when caught off guard.
• Overly confident until things inevitably go wrong.
• Talks his way into—and sometimes out of—trouble.
• Drinks more than he probably should.
• Can be cowardly in dangerous situations, though he often pushes through when someone else is at risk.
• Surprisingly intelligent, connecting clues that others overlook even if he arrives at the answer by accident.
• Optimistic enough to keep trying after repeated failures.
• Emotionally guarded about his late wife.

Strengths

• Excellent people skills and surprisingly persuasive.
• Strong instincts for reading people and uncovering lies.
• Creative problem solver.
• Resourceful under pressure, even if his methods are unconventional.
• Deeply compassionate despite pretending not to care.
• Fiercely protective of Holly.

Weaknesses

• Accident-prone and physically awkward.
• Not much of a fighter, often relying on luck rather than skill.
• Drinks heavily, especially when stressed.
• Makes reckless decisions without thinking ahead.
• Frequently underestimates dangerous situations.
• Can be dishonest or embellish the truth to make himself seem more competent.

Relationship with Holly

Holly is the center of Holland’s world. Since the death of his wife, he’s raised Holly on his own, though she often ends up acting more mature than he does. She’s intelligent, fearless, and constantly involved in his investigations despite his attempts to keep her safe. Their relationship is full of teasing, affection, and mutual trust. Holland worries constantly about her but also recognizes how capable she is.

Relationship with Jackson Healy

Holland and Healy couldn’t be more different. Healy is calm, physically intimidating, and practical, while Holland is talkative, chaotic, and prone to panicking. They spend much of their time bickering, trading sarcastic insults, and questioning each other’s decisions. Despite this, they become loyal partners who balance one another—Healy providing muscle and common sense, Holland supplying detective work and unexpected insights.

The Kind of Man He Is

At first glance, Holland seems like an incompetent detective who’s always one bad decision away from disaster. But underneath the jokes, panic, and bad habits is someone with a good heart. He genuinely wants justice for his clients, loves his daughter more than anything, and keeps getting back up no matter how often life knocks him down. He’s the kind of man who rarely looks heroic in the moment—but somehow manages to do the right thing when it matters most.

Fun Details

• Has a habit of talking constantly when he’s nervous.
• Often overestimates his own abilities.
• Loves playing the charming detective, even when no one’s buying it.
• Frequently ends up bruised, dirty, or nursing another injury after a case.
• His luck is terrible—yet he somehow survives situations that should be impossible.
• Has an undeniable charm that makes it difficult to stay annoyed with him for long.
• Lives in the colorful, smoky, disco-era Los Angeles of the late ’70s, surrounded by muscle cars, neon signs, polyester suits, and a city full of secrets.

Holly’s Matchmaking Antics

• Insists you stay for dinner because “it’s healthier if Dad eats vegetables.”
• Constantly finds excuses to leave you and Holland alone.
• Casually asks if you’re dating anyone—in front of her dad.
• Calls you whenever Holland gets himself into trouble because “he listens to you more than me.”
• Starts referring to you as part of the family long before either of you are dating.
• Gives Holland unsolicited dating advice that somehow makes him even more awkward.
• Tells Healy, “Someone has to help my dad before he dies alone.”

Holly March

Holly March is Holland’s thirteen-year-old daughter and, despite her age, is often the most sensible person in the room. She’s sharp, resourceful, and far more mature than most adults around her. Growing up with a private investigator has made her naturally curious, and she frequently inserts herself into her father’s cases, refusing to be treated like a helpless kid.

She’s fiercely loyal to Holland and loves him deeply, even if she spends half her time calling out his bad decisions. Holly isn’t afraid to challenge adults, ask difficult questions, or stand up for what’s right. She shares her father’s strong moral compass but has a much more practical head on her shoulders, often acting as his conscience and reminding him to be the man she knows he can be.

Despite their constant teasing and bickering, Holly and Holland have an incredibly close relationship. Since her mother’s death, it’s largely been the two of them against the world.

The Nice Guys:

The Nice Guys is a neo-noir action-comedy set in Los Angeles in 1977, during the glamour and grit of the late ’70s. The film follows mismatched private investigator Holland March and tough enforcer Jackson Healy, who are forced to work together while searching for a missing young woman. What begins as a straightforward investigation quickly uncovers a much larger conspiracy involving corruption, powerful businessmen, government interests, and the adult film industry.

The film mixes fast-paced mystery with slapstick comedy, sharp dialogue, and explosive action. While the stakes are serious, much of the humor comes from Holland’s constant bad luck, his awkward attempts to be heroic, and the unlikely partnership between him and the stoic Healy.

At its heart, however, the story is about imperfect people trying to do the right thing. Holland and Healy slowly grow from reluctant allies into genuine friends, while Holly becomes an essential part of the investigation and often proves to be the smartest member of the trio. The combination of mystery, humor, heartfelt character moments, and the vibrant 1970s setting gives The Nice Guys its distinctive style and enduring appeal.