The Fall Guy
If you’re looking for mind-blowing entertainment, The Fall Guy offers two hours of well-timed one-liners, two powerhouse movie stars (Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt) with undeniable chemistry, zany industry meta-sendups, and, of course, a ton of crazy stunts.
Based on the 1980s TV series, The Fall Guy is a modest and endearing statement against the abuse of computer graphics in films (and daily life).
Ryan Gosling excels in one of his most physically demanding parts to date. He portrays Colt Seavers, the stunt double for Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s obscenely repulsive alter ego, Tom Ryder. After a terrible accident on set filming, Colt isolates himself from everyone and everything. He chooses to step away from the stunt company and valet cars for a year. Subsequently, powerful film producer Gail (Hannah Waddingham) persuades Colt to travel to Australia to save his leading lady, Jody, who is directing her first major motion picture, a science fantasy epic love story that seems to be an intentional rip-off of Dune: Part Two.
The absurd level of antics in The Fall Guy, is inspired intention. Revelling in old-fashioned mayhem of its creators and their love affair with the genre, this action-mystery revels in the good, never masking complexity or subtlety.
Film buffs will delight the reverence for vintage action properties and some historical contemplation on the motion picture industry. Given the stunt work and general atmosphere of the film, Miami Vice is obviously an influence. The essence of the movie is perfectly encapsulated in a karaoke performance that alternates between a thrilling action sequence and Blunt’s duet with Phil Collins’s recorded voice of Against All Odds.
None of it would have been as smooth without the multi-hyphenate talents and pros that are Gosling and Blunt, the film’s captivating leaders. Their easy-going demeanour on camera, intense chemistry, and sense of humour make even the script’s flaws seem like little blemishes on their picture-perfect faces.
The voyage itself is more thrilling than the destination, so as viewers, we ignore these nuances. As The Fall Guy stumbles, rolls, bursts, explodes, and barrels its way to the grand finale, the momentum only gets stronger.
This is a tribute to Hollywood blockbusters and their enormous illusions, honouring the unsung contributions of hundreds stunt doubles and coworkers below the queue.
The consistent performances of Gosling and Blunt, and the movie’s continuous triumph, particularly director David Leitch’s passionate dedication and perseverance, ensures that it never feels muddled or loses momentum.
The Fall Guy is now showing in cinemas.
-Dirk Lombard Fourie