Ryan Gosling stars as Colt Seavers, a battle-scarred stuntman who, having left the business a year earlier to focus on both his physical and mental health, is drafted back into service when the star of a mega-budget studio movie—being directed by his ex, Jody Moreno, played by Emily Blunt —goes missing. While the film’s ruthless producer (Hannah Waddingham), maneuvers to keep the disappearance of star Tom Ryder (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) a secret from the studio and the media, Colt performs the film’s most outrageous stunts while trying (with limited success) to charm his way back into Jody’s good graces. But as the mystery around the missing star deepens, Colt will find himself ensnared in a sinister, criminal plot that will push him to the edge of a fall more dangerous than any stunt.
What We Thought:
The Fall Guy doesn’t quite fill the void left from us never getting a sequel to The Nice Guys, but as someone who grew up on buddy action comedies in the 80s and 90s I dug the flick. It’s a bit long and different sections go on longer than they should, but I had fun with it. I’m a big fan of 87North and was actually a bit disappointed in Bullet Train (I rewatched it a few days ago and still don’t love it), but I’m glad to report The Fall Guy is entertaining and is something I will definitely be watching again.
What I enjoyed the most is that it works on so many levels for me. Others won’t get the same reaction as I did because of my own personal background and that’s fine. Besides writing about movies and TV I’ve also worked on a couple of dozen movies and TV shows. I actually have a stunt driving credit on my resume and The Fall Guy opens with Ryan Gosling’s stunt guy character walking around with a walkie talkie. If you’ve ever worked on a stunt, you know the importance of the walkie talkie and all the thumbs ups and hand movements. Director David Leitch and his team at 87North are probably the best stunt team outside of Asia so to see the authenticity and care they brought to the behind-the-scenes movie within a movie aspect is perfection. Gosling also has a bit about not getting breakfast and the meal penalties he argues over made me roar. 99% of the audience won’t have a clue what that’s about, but if you’ve ever worked on a SAG/union film you get it. I was the only one in the theater howling at it.
Speaking of Gosling, can he please say or do something so awful we finally turn on him? He’s good looking and charming. He’s talented and funny. He comes across as genuine and can sing and dance. We get it Ryan, you’re perfect you son of a gun. Yet again he’s magnificent and carries the film and seems to be in the best shape of his life (check out his arms in this movie, he looks jacked for a man of his frame). Chock up Colt Seavers as just another flawless Gosling character. He gets huge laughs downplaying his perfection in the role. As the man behind the man, Colt isn’t the superstar and Gosling has a ball playing him. Whether it’s back and forth with Emily Blunt (a megaphone scene on set is hilarious) or great scenes with Winston Duke or the stunt dog, Colt Seavers has the comedic elements of his character from The Nice Guys mixed with Brad Pitt’s character in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. I’d be shocked if Gosling and David Leitch don’t work with each other again soon.
As for Leitch, he must have had a heck of a time making this film. From movie-within-a-movie stunts to stunts for the actual movie, it’s a blast watching. As someone who grew up watching over the top Hollywood action flicks and Asian martial arts movies, there’s so much to enjoy here. Whether it’s window glass breaking or a boat jump or an actual fall, there are some classic stunts in the movie. Leitch does an excellent job pulling no punches (pun intended) and mixes the action with a fantastic soundtrack. We even get to hear Emily Blunt sing although not having the glorious voice of Hannah Waddingham as well is one of the negatives.
The biggest negative is that the film is a bit too long. The story works, but does drag in sections. I liked the slow pacing and build up of the first act, but parts of the second and third act go on for too long. Like Bullet Train, the film wants to be smarter than what it is. All the cover up and people being part of the cover up and set up isn’t necessary. It slows down the film at times. It’s a marginal complaint because I did enjoy the movie overall, but somewhere there’s a tighter film to be had.
Even if you know nothing about the TV show The Fall Guy is based on you should have a enjoyable time with the flick. Blunt and Gosling make for a good will they/won’t they and I’ve enjoyed Winston Duke’s work since Black Panther. The more you know about filmmaking the funnier it is, but even if you’ve never stepped foot on a film set you should get plenty of laughs. If you’ve ever watched a Jackie Chan Hong Kong movie make sure you stay through the credits because there is a lot of fun behind-the-scenes making of content. Nothing else to say besides…
RECOMMENDED!
Genre: Action Thriller
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Emily Blunt, Winston Duke, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Hannah Waddingham, Stephanie Hsu
Directed by: David Leitch
Screenplay by: Drew Pearce
Produced by: Kelly McCormick, David Leitch, Ryan Gosling, Guymon Casady
Executive Producers: Drew Pearce, Geoff Shaevitz, Glen A. Larson
THE FALL GUY – IN THEATERS MAY 3
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