‘The Fall Guy’ Review: Has Ryan Gosling’s Comedy Lived Up to The Hype?
In a manner reminiscent of an unstoppable energized bunny, Ryan Gosling’s portrayal in ‘The Fall Guy’ keeps charging ahead, displaying his agility as he dashes, leaps, tumbles, and punches, soaring through the air like a rocket. Gosling sheds his previous ‘Barbie’ pretty-boy image to embody Colt Seavers, a seasoned stuntman with an impressive track record, sporting six-packs on his six-packs and a carefree attitude towards personal safety.
Plunging twelve stories in a building atrium is just another rugged day at the office for Colt, until, oops, he comes dangerously close to a splat.
Directed by David Leitch, ‘The Fall Guy’ offers a slick and playful narrative, revolving around a man who thrives on enduring relentless punishment—promptly demonstrated when Colt faces his catastrophic accident early on. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for modern masculinity and its challenges, although that’s open to debate.
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More clearly, the movie serves as a feature-length showcase of daring stunts, interspersed with romance, a minor mystery, witty jokes, and unabashed pride in the craft of filmmaking—an attitude that has persisted in the industry for almost as long as cinema itself. Remarkably, in this case, the swaggering bravado is largely warranted.
While there is a storyline, it takes a backseat to Gosling’s performance and the plethora of cool stunts showcased throughout the film. Penned by Drew Pearce and loosely based on the 1980s TV series of the same name starring Lee Majors, the movie kicks off just before Colt’s fateful plunge. After a brief hiatus spent flaunting his chiselled physique, Colt returns to stunt work, enticed by the prospect of reuniting with his ex, Jody (portrayed by the delightful yet underused Emily Blunt).
She’s directing a sci-fi extravaganza that seems like a mishmash of various pop culture elements, including elements from generic video games, the 2011 fantasy flick ‘Cowboys & Aliens’ and both the ‘Alien’ and ‘Mad Max’ franchises.
Leitch, a former stunt performer with an impressive resume, including doubling for Brad Pitt before directing him in ‘Bullet Train,’ collaborates with Chad Stahelski, another former stuntman turned director best known for the ‘John Wick’ series with Keanu Reeves. Together, they’ve left an indelible mark on American action cinema post-John Woo, blending martial arts styles, witty fight choreography, and a keen focus on the kinetic potential of the human body.
Despite the abundance of weaponry and gruesome violence in Leitch’s movies, including ‘The Fall Guy,’ what truly captivates is the raw physicality of the action sequences, showcasing coordinated movements and exertion. Both directors emphasise the strenuous effort behind these feats, drawing from their own experiences. In their films, you can practically hear the panting and see the grimaces as blows land on flesh and bone.
In contrast to the prevalent digital effects in contemporary action films, the emphasis on practical stunts in ‘The Fall Guy’ serves as a testament to its authenticity. Each bone-jarring impact underscores the film’s commitment to real action. There’s an undeniable macho undertone to this approach, championing real men performing genuine stunts.
This sentiment extends to Colt’s relationship with Jody, which oscillates between comedic, sentimental, and occasionally exasperating moments, framed in part by split-screen techniques reminiscent of classic romantic comedies like ‘Pillow Talk.’ Despite Jody’s role as Colt’s boss, he’s the one who ultimately comes to the rescue after a tumultuous encounter with a star and a producer (Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Hannah Waddingham).
