"The Fall Guy" is an action comedy film loosely based on the 1980s TV series of the same name. Directed by David Leitch ("Atomic Blonde", "Deadpool 2", "Bullet Train") and starring Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt, it is a fun ode to the often overlooked stunt workers of the film industry.
Eighteen months after a near fatal accident on set, stuntman Colt Seavers (Ryan Gosling) returns to work as the stunt double for famous film star Tom Ryder (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) on an action movie being filmed in Sydney, Australia. One day during filming, Tom suddenly goes missing, which causes major problems for the film's first-time director Jody Moreno (Emily Blunt) who just so happens to be Colt's ex-girlfriend. With production shutting down indefinitely, Colt decides to seek out for Tom himself to save both Jody's film and her reputation as an up-and-coming filmmaker. While searching the unfamiliar city, Colt soon finds himself framed for a crime he didn't commit, leading to a series of events that put his life in far more danger than any stunt he has ever performed.
When watching an action movie, it can be easy for us to neglect just how much effort goes into some of the intense stunt work taking place onscreen. Most of the brave men and women responsible for this are frequently risking their lives for the sake of our entertainment and often end up forgotten in favour of the more well-known actors they are doubling for. If you're like me, I think it's about time major accolades are handed out to these performers at mainstream award ceremonies as a formal way of acknowledging all of their hard work. "The Fall Guy" pays an affectionate tribute to these stunt performers in a film that manages to both entertain and serve as a reminder of some of the lengths these people will go to ensure audiences always keep coming back for more.
As a demonstration of the intricacies in this line of work, the film opens on Colt performing a stunt that almost costs him his life. We see him being strapped into a harness intended to drop him from the top floor of the inside of an office building, with the real actor Tom watching on from a safe distance. Of course, things go horribly wrong for poor Colt, as the straps suddenly fail and cause him to plummet several storeys without any means of saving himself. His serious injuries force him to sit out working for over a year, and during his period of recovery he starts to notice the consequences of working in the shadows of somebody famous for too long.
Later, as Colt wanders the streets at night, he passes by various billboards and ads adorned with pictures of Tom plastered all over them. This causes a man at a nightclub to mistake Colt for Tom due to a passing physical resemblance, though the stunt performer quickly proves that he has more gumption than the famous actor ever did. Colt is then tasked with being the valet driver for the man at the club, in a scene where he lets loose and drives the car as quickly as possible, much to the owner's surprise. This is intended to establish that while someone like Tom is recognised the world over as an action star, there are still those who question if it is really him doing all of his own stunts. Colt is naturally the one doing all the hard work, and it is here we see the parallels drawn between an actor with a "tough guy" image versus a real tough guy who did long term damage to his body only for someone else to take the credit.
Being a film about stunt performers, you'd be correct in assuming that there will be scenes of car chases, explosions, shoot-outs, and inside references to other movies that contain all of the above. Director David Leitch, himself a former stuntman, makes good use of this film's premise to poke fun at the world of stunt work in a respectful, tongue-in-cheek manner. In particular, the film humorously calls out the similarity of its plot to that of 1993's "The Fugitive", with Colt realising he has been relegated to a role mirroring Harrison Ford on the run despite his innocence. This leads to some exciting chase scenes taking place throughout the streets of Sydney, with the action even finding its way onto the iconic Harbour Bridge. Not since "Mission: Impossible 2" has the city of Sydney been featured so prominently in a Hollywood action movie, and the film uses this uncommon location to its advantage.
We also see during the filming of the "movie-within-a-movie" how tedious it must be for Colt being forced to perform the same stunts over and over. Many of these stunts usually involve subjecting himself to painful situations, like being set on fire or thrown out of a car window. On top of that, it is shown that many of those working on the film don't even bother to acknowledge him by name, dismissing him as merely "The Stuntman". Seeing this side to stunt work told from the perspective of an actual performer like Leitch certainly gives the film a sense of authenticity in his storytelling, especially when done in a way that helps the viewer understand the difficult process undergone by these hardworking crew members.
Though not the first time he's played a movie stuntman (see 2011's "Drive"), Ryan Gosling fits into the role of Colt perfectly, approaching the character with considerably more humour and less stoicism. Gosling does a great job balancing out Colt's tough, resilient image of a stunt performer with that of someone who genuinely cares about those who are likely to eclipse his success. It is Colt's familiarity with the combative nature of his career choice that allows him to handle himself during any kind of physical altercation, usually resulting in him gaining the upper hand against adversity. In spite of everything he goes through, you've got to admire Colt for his work ethic, as well as his personal obligation to help complete this movie at all costs.
Emily Blunt is a great addition to the cast as well, with her character Jody taking on the role of a rookie filmmaker finally getting her big break in the industry. Her chemistry with Gosling works quite well in the film's favour, showcasing her secret longing to rekindle an old romance while still maintaining a level of professionalism. I also found it interesting to see how the film touched upon Jody's insistence on having her story told exactly to her specifications, even if it caused her to lock horns with the film's producers and cast members. This was likely done as a commentary on the way a director's vision can often end up compromised in favour of what the studio higher ups want to see instead, which is still an ongoing problem in Hollywood today.
As an appreciation of stunt workers everywhere, "The Fall Guy" is an appropriately fun ride that virtually all audiences are bound to enjoy, with no prior knowledge of the film industry required. It is comforting to know that behind every great action sequence in the movies we watch, there will always be those brave people willing to risk everything in the name of entertainment. Though we may be waiting a long time before stunt performers receive the mainstream recognition they deserve, we at least have this film to remind us of their significance until that day arrives. If anything, thanks to this film, that day might come sooner rather than later.
I rate it 8/10.
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