The Fall Guy Review

Plot: A down-and-out stuntman must find the missing star of his ex-girlfriend's blockbuster film.

Film: The Fall Guy

Director: David Leitch

Writer: Drew Pearce, Glen A. Larson

Starring: Ryan Gosling, Emily Blunt, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Hannah Waddingham, Winston Duke

In what ended up being a surprisingly heartfelt love-letter to the stunt performers and coordinators of the film industry, The Fall Guy managed to blend comedy and a character driven story that is quickly becoming a style all Leitch’s own. 

Leitch, a former stunt performer himself, delivers this meta story of those behind the filmmaking process, a not unfamiliar trope, it offers a behind-the-scenes look at Hollywood, poking fun at itself. Each scene is infused with clever, in-jokes about the filmmaking process, yet there remains a palpable sense of warmth and affection throughout. The stunt sequences — whether it’s a high-risk helicopter jump, an elaborate fight scene in a neon-lit nightclub, or a pyrotechnic car chase across a beach — serve as thrilling tributes to the dedicated stunt professionals.

At the heart of the film are Ryan Gosling’s Colt Seavers and Emily Blunt’s Jody Moreno, a former couple who grew apart when Colt suffered an accident while working on a film. What surprised me most about The Fall Guy was how much time and focus they placed on the will-they won’t-they nature of their relationship, rather than having it being a subplot. I think this is something that may divide audiences overall, but it really is where the charm of this film lies. 

The film’s is set up like a mystery. Tom Ryder (played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson) is the egocentric star of the film within a film ‘Metalstorm’, who has gone missing and Gail Meyer (played by Hannah Waddingham) is the films cutthroat producer who enlists Colt’s help in finding him. This sets off an action-packed series of chaotic events, hilarity and romance.

I couldn’t end this review without acknowledging the stunt men standing in for the stunt man in this film who were; Justin Eaton, Troy Brown, Logan Holladay and Ben Jenkin. Notably Logan Holladay is a Guiness World Record holder for the most car rolls while filming The Fall Guy, which is an Easter Egg within the script.

The Fall Guy is a fun, action packed adventure that isn’t ashamed to show its vunerable side. Ryan Gosling proves once again why he is the internets favourite boyfriend.