The Fall Guy review – Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt fun it up in goofy stuntman romance
To enjoy this action-packed comedy, you might want to prepare your indulgent smile - just like the charming grins Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt give as they portray a thrill-seeking stuntman and his strict director, respectively. While it's not as darkly humorous as The Stunt Man from 1980, where a draft dodger performs stunts for anonymity on a film set, this film - based on the 1980s show The Fall Guy - is a lighthearted crowd-pleaser with Lee Majors and Heather Thomas making a cheeky appearance. Summer fun at its best!
In this particular blog post, it is discussed how Gosling portrays the character of Colt Seavers, who is a very experienced stuntman and is not afraid of any physical challenges. He actually doubles for Tom Ryder, a conceited star who claims to do all his own stunts. Colt is also romantically involved with Jody Moreno, a talented camera operator who is both beautiful and skilled. However, something terrible happens to Colt during a stunt, which ends his career. He blames himself for the accident, believing that his feelings for Jody caused him to lose focus.
Colt disappears and stops talking to Jody while going through physical therapy, leaving Jody feeling upset. Later, relentless producer Gail convinces Colt to return to work on Jody's first film as a director. The movie is a science fiction adventure with Ryder playing a space cowboy with a poor attempt at a Texas accent. Gail says Jody requested Colt's return, but Jody and Ryder may be scheming something.
In the first 15 minutes, the foundation of the movie is set. However, the remainder of the film is a long, plotless spectacle of crashes, explosions, punches, and action sequences that serve no real purpose. Despite this, the film's stunts - and the use of stunt doubles - add an interesting layer to the story, which is already focused on the advancements in AI that allow for realistic deepfakes. The end credits briefly showcase footage from the actual locations where the stunts were performed, which reveals the need for real stuntmen and their invaluable contribution to the film. Unfortunately, these unsung heroes are not given the recognition they deserve as true stars.
Gosling and Blunt have a great connection: there is a charming and seemingly spontaneous instance when Jody's hat flies away in the wind of the helicopter blades while they were talking, and she needs to fix it back. However, this film is more action-focused and less romantic. The funniest moment is a comment about Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, but it would have been better if there were more amusing jokes. It's a highly enjoyable movie, perfect for a casual night out.
