MOVIE REVIEW: THE FALL GUY

 

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.

Director: David Leitch

Cast: Ryan Gosling, Emily Blunt, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Hannah Waddingham, Teresa Palmer, Stephanie Hsu, Winston Duke

Release Date: May 3, 2024

Genre: Action, Comedy, Drama

Rated PG-13 for action and violence, drug content and some strong language.

Runtime: 2h 5m

Review:

David Leitch's The Fall Guy is a breezy sort of blockbuster, packed with massive stunts and a pair of perfectly matched stars.  The film uses its madcap set up as an excuse for Leitch to lovingly show his appreciation for the stunt side of the movie business which he came from.  The plot serves as little more than an excuse to move from one action sequence to another with the central romance serving as the propulsive force behind the whole thing.  There's a heavy rom-com feel to the quieter moments that relies heavily on its two leads to carry the momentum.  Thankfully, the film is blessed with Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt's inherent charm and charisma.  Gosling brings his goofy, likable energy to the lovelorn stuntman who's willing to do what it takes to get the girl.  The film noticeably perks up when he and Blunt share the screen, be it in person or by way of old school split screen.  Their interchanges possess the kind of natural ease that makes it easy to believe the two care for each other in spite of the artificial obstacles the plot presents them with.  The onscreen couple are destined to be together from the start which is sort of refreshing in its lack of contrived conflict that usually pops up in rom-coms.  It’s a fun pairing that makes the film far better than it should be since the story's twists aren't terribly surprising since they are telegraphed fairly early on.  This is a film that leans heavily on its cast with the supporting players made up of familiar faces like Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Hannah Waddingham, Winston Duke and Stephanie Hsu.  Johnson and Waddingham are clearly having a ball hamming up it as Hollywood stereotypes.  Winston Duke makes for a solid wingman for Gosling’s character but the film doesn't make the most of the pairs natural chemistry.  Stephanie Hsu makes the most of her limited screen time, especially in one big action sequence.  It all makes for a fun film that's never too deep or weighty which makes it the kind of disposable summer blockbuster that might not linger in your memory too long afterwards. 

B-