What’s It About
After leaving the business one year earlier, battle-scarred stuntman Colt Seavers springs back into action when the star of a big studio movie suddenly disappears. As the mystery surrounding the missing actor deepens, Colt soon finds himself ensnared in a sinister plot that pushes him to the edge of a fall more dangerous than any stunt.
MOVIESinMO REVIEW
The lack of a stunt category at the Oscars has been a topic of discussion in film circles. Stunt performers have been an essential part of filmmaking for decades, yet their contributions often go unrecognized. Stunt work requires precision, science, and artistry, making it a necessary aspect of the filmmaking craft that the Academy aims to honor. At the most recent Oscars ceremony, Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt paid tribute to stunt performers, which was a positive step forward. However, their tribute felt like an advertisement for the television show The Fall Guy, directed by stuntman-turned-filmmaker David Leitch, which celebrates the unsung heroes of cinema. Stunt performers do the dirty work so Hollywood’s leading actors can maintain their pretty faces. Stunt work is not limited to action movies, as these essential workers perform even small, thankless tasks. Their craft is like a solid bass line; it may not always be noticeable but would be missed if absent. In The Fall Guy, Ryan Gosling portrays Colt Seavers, a stuntman extraordinaire. He doubles for Tom Ryder (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), an action star with a big ego and drug addiction. On Ryder’s latest film set, Colt falls for Jody Moreno (Emily Blunt), a camera operator who dreams of becoming a director. Colt’s career is seemingly over after a stunt gone wrong leads to his injury. Still, he receives a call from Gail (Hannah Waddingham), an influential producer who invites him back to work on Jody’s new movie. The humor in The Fall Guy is one of its biggest successes. Ryan Gosling’s comedic skills are on full display as he effortlessly emulates a cocksure attitude, hilarious confusion, and steamy sex appeal. His character, Colt, is always doubtful, and his real-world situation demands that he rely on his stunt skills without the usual safety protocols. Emily Blunt and Ryan Gosling have fantastic chemistry. Still, Blunt’s character is not given much to do outside of being a love interest for Colt. The two protagonists team up to achieve a shared goal, and their chemistry is electric. However, Hannah Waddingham’s portrayal of Gail, the soulless producer who will do anything to get what she wants, steals the show. Winston Duke’s character, Dan Tucker, serves as Gail’s foil, and his head full of movie quotes adds to the film’s clever script. Despite its intentions to showcase excellent stunt work, The Fall Guy’s action beats are standard, and the film’s director, David Leitch, has a long way to go in learning how to shoot them. Nevertheless, the film’s killer cast and clever script make it enjoyable. The Fall Guy is a love letter to stunt performers, and it is time for the Academy to recognize their contributions with a well-deserved Oscar category.
OUR RATING – A COMICALLY EXPLOSIVE 8