More than just a competent movie, The Fall Guy gives stunt people their deserved moment in the spotlight.
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Behind every killer action scene is the stunt crew that makes it happen. Sure, there are a lot of actors who do their own stunts, but it’s the talented stuntmen and women who often put their lives on the line to get that perfect shot. Yet, for how integral stunt work is in movies, the profession rarely gets the spotlight it deserves, and often plays second fiddle to the big stars as names and faces go unrecognized by the movie-going audience. That’s also how The Fall Guy starts.
The movie centers on Colt Seavers (Ryan Gosling), who, like everyone in the stunt community, gets blown up, shot, crashed, thrown through windows, and dropped from the highest of heights, all for people’s entertainment. He serves as the stuntman to A-list action star Tom Ryder (Aaron-Taylor Johnson) and is in a relationship with camera operator Jody Moreno (Emily Blunt). But one day, Colt gets into an almost career-ending accident that pushes him away from the industry and his girl. That is until he gets called to find Tom, who has gone missing from the set of his newest sci-fi blockbuster, and work as a stunt guy on the movie, which happens to have Jody as its director.
Colt thus embarks on a mission to track down a missing movie star, solve a conspiracy, and try to win back the love of his life while still doing his day job. It’s an eccentric story, to say the least, but The Fall Guy strides its way to tell a fun narrative led by exceptional lead stars, crowd-pleasing action, and all while giving stunt people their deserved flowers. Here’s why The Fall Guy has been hitting all the right boxes in our book.
RYAN GOSLING AND EMILY BLUNT MAKE AN AMAZING PAIR
TBH, it was expected that a Gosling-Blunt team-up would work. But it needs to be reiterated how good these two are in this movie, both separately and as a duo. Gosling shines as Colt as he wholeheartedly embodies the charismatic action star persona and runs away with nearly every scene he is in. The way he can go from serious action to comedic moments, getting emotional to Taylor Swift’s All Too Well and back again is a joy to watch. It’s a nice mix of an action star with a suave ladies’ man.
Colt isn’t the most complex character you’ll meet, but it doesn’t take away from how fun he is to follow as a protagonist. Blunt, meanwhile, serves as an exceptional companion as she brings a no-nonsense but caring energy to the story. These two are dynamic and make for an invigorating couple that lights up the big screen.
IT’S A FUN MIX OF ACTION, COMEDY, ROMANCE, AND DRAMA
Admittedly, The Fall Guy has a wild and convoluted second half that prioritizes spectacle above all else. But if you stay on the ride, you’ll be treated to a movie that has a healthy dose of action-thriller with comedy and romance. Most movies buckle under offering that many themes, but The Fall Guy doesn’t fall in doing so. In particular, the film isn’t afraid to get irreverent and deliver some laugh-out-loud moments. It’s also surprisingly romantic and touching when it comes to its love story of Colt and Jody, a testament to the actors’ strong performances. The story won’t be leaving jaws on the floor, but it does mostly succeed in being a crowd-pleaser.
THE ACTION HITS, LITERALLY
With a filmography that includes Bullet Train, Deadpool 2, and Atomic Blonde, director David Leitch has made a name for himself as a purveyor of quality action movies. And that continues in The Fall Guy. A movie about a stunt guy naturally has a lot of stunts in it, and they make for an exhilarating time.
From a thrilling fight scene in a club, a frenetic chase across the streets of Sydney, an explosive car ride on the beach, a simple yet hilarious scene of someone being set on fire and thrown into a rock multiple times, and more, the film is littered with set pieces that, while won’t take the crown for Leitch’s best stunts, still satisfy.
IT SERVES AS AN ODE TO STUNT PEOPLE
Before he became a director, David Leitch was a stunt performer. So, he is aware of the ins and outs of the job, something he puts to great use in The Fall Guy. The movie serves as a love letter to action movies and the hard-working and under-appreciated crew of people who make them. It offers an exciting inside look at what it’s like to be on a huge action movie set, such as by incorporating actual stunt lingo and props into the film’s plot.
The stunts done in the movie aren’t just to have the story progress, but they’re embedded into who the characters are. This is seen most notably in the film’s truly bonkers final act, which sees stunt people rise to be the heroes they are. You come away from The Fall Guy appreciating how hard they work and understanding the integral part they play in making movie magic.
OFFERS A NICE BONUS FOR FANS OF FILMMAKING
For people who enjoy watching movies about making movies, The Fall Guy has something for you. A good chunk of the film is centered on the behind-the-scenes process of making a big-budget sci-fi spectacle. From filming chase scenes to dealing with studio interference, The Fall Guy gives viewers an inside look into what can happen in the movie-making world. It makes for an interesting setting and a plot that isn’t bogged down by being too serious. While it isn’t the most in-depth look into the process of filmmaking, it does offer nice tidbits for filmmaking fans.
Overall, if you’re looking to watch a fun movie this summer, The Fall Guy should be near the top of your list. The romantic action-thriller comedy is an enjoyable romp that gives stunt people and their work the platform few movies can match.
The Fall Guy screens in local cinemas nationwide beginning May 1.
Photos courtesy of Universal Pictures International
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