THE FALL GUY – Review by T.J. Callahan
The Fall Guy: “I never forget a fist.”
The Fall Guy is a movie about a big screen stuntman told from the eyes of a stuntman so everything is bigger, louder and more dangerous. It’s a movie within a movie within the making of a movie based on a TV show. If you can follow that, there’s a good chance you can keep up with this action-packed, tongue-in-cheek homage to the unsung heroes of film.
Loosely based on the 1980’s Lee Majors television action series about stuntman Colt Seavers who moonlights as a bounty hunter, this Fall Guy puts pretty boy Ryan Gosling in the crosshairs of conspiracy as a down and out daredevil, fresh off an almost career-ending accident, now tasked with tracking down the missing movie star of his ex-girlfriend’s blockbuster film in order to save his own life.
The cut up “Ken” overcomes crashes, drops and gun shots. He gets blown up real good, but he’d do it over and over and over again (and he does) for the love of Jody, the camera person turned director and object of his affection. Emily Blunt is Jody and her chemistry with Gosling is no stunt. With a twinkle in their eyes, they continually flirt through the flames. They’re having fun, but it’s overkill.
Also having fun are the co-stars. Aaron Taylor-Johnson is doing his best Matthew McConaughey impersonation as the action star for whom Seavers is the body double. Hannah Waddingham is the soda swizzling devious for dollars movie producer, and Jason Momoa jumps in as an over the top role replacement. Stay through the credits for a Lee Majors cameo and a look at the real stunts done for filming.
The Fall Guy is a crazy screwball comedy that takes everything to the Nth degree. Maybe because director David Leitch was a stuntman himself…before he helmed John Wick…so he knows brutality for the sake of entertainment. But in this film he seems to be playfully mocking his former profession as a way of honoring the real fall guys and gals who never get much recognition for the lifelong bruises they take away from the job.
The audience I saw this film with got the jokes. There was much laughter. As for my husband Ricky, the stunts galore were too monotonous. When the cars drifted, so did he. The Fall Guy gets one 👁 open.
The Fall Guy is one big brawl
With ideas thrown up against the wall,
To see what the writers recall.
For some.. it will enthrall,
If boredom does not befall.
