The Fall Guy Movie Review: Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt Bring a Fun Romcom Energy to David Leitch's Action-Packed Love-Letter to Stunt-Men (LatestLY Exclusive)

The Fall Guy Movie Review: The Fall Guy is an adoring love letter to all stuntmen, crafted by former stuntman David Leitch, that transcends mere adoration. It's a delightful mix of action, romance, comedy, and mystery with meta-commentary on Hollywood sprinkled throughout. Ryan Gosling showcases his comedic talent like never before, while Emily Blunt matches his zany energy in nearly every scene. Although there are moments where The Fall Guy doesn't fully own its narrative and it runs about 20 minutes too long, overall, it's an enjoyable watch. The Fall Guy Review: Early Reactions Laud Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt’s Action Comedy As ‘Super Thrilling’ and ‘A Real Crowd Pleaser’.

Colt (Ryan Gosling) is the ace stuntman for movie star Tom Ryder (Aaron Taylor-Johnson). However, he leaves his profession after an on-set mishap causes a serious back injury. After 18 months, Colt is forced to come out of his hiatus when he's asked to join the sets of "Metalstorm," a sci-fi romantic action film in Australia, by its producer Gail (Hannah Waddingham). His main motivation is that the movie marks the directorial debut of his former girlfriend, Jody (Emily Blunt).

Watch the Trailer of The Fall Guy:

Jody is still resentful towards Colt for pushing her out of his life after the accident. Colt hopes to reconcile their differences during the shoot and perhaps reignite their old romance.

However, it's only during the shoot that Colt realises the true purpose of his invitation. Tom Ryder has gone missing, and Gail wants Colt to discreetly find out his whereabouts without alerting the other crew members or the media. Colt's situation takes a turn for the worse after an involuntary drug trip leads to chaos, and he discovers a body in a hotel room.

The Homage to Onscreen Stunt Performers

The Fall Guy plunges into the same irreverent, entertaining territory as David Leitch's previous film, the vastly enjoyable yet strangely underrated Bullet Train. The heart of the film beats with a clear intention: to pay tribute to the unsung heroes of Leitch's former profession, those responsible for the most perilous onscreen stunts. The director adeptly brings the action into their perspective, offering viewers an insider's experience of how these cinematic spectacles are achieved.

From the dynamic tracking shot that follows Colt through multiple floors before a fall-dive stunt (albeit one that doesn't go as planned), to the bombastic third-act fight sequence, The Fall Guy serves as a glorious homage to onscreen stunt work. While watching, there were moments when I couldn't help but wish for the cameo appearances of Tom Cruise or Keanu Reeves, both of whom are currently championing realistic stunts on the big screen - although Cruise does receive a name-drop here. The Fall Guy Premiere: Ryan Gosling Pays Tribute To Stunt Crews As Unsung Heroes, Says ‘It’s a Campaign To Get Stunts an Oscar’ (Watch Video).

Leitch also takes aim at the challenges facing his former profession. These include the lack of recognition for stunt work at the Oscars, a situation that is thankfully being rectified. He also tackles the growing trend of using CGI to replace practical stunts, as well as the emergence of AI and deepfakes, which not only present significant challenges to stunt professionals but also to the wider industry workforce.

The Wacky Mix of Action, Comedy and Romance

All glorious nods to stunt personnel apart, what truly propels The Fall Guy is its engaging mix of romance, humor, and action, with Leitch channeling the energetic vibes reminiscent of Guy Ritchie's style, as witnessed in scenes (also evident in Bullet Train). Take, for instance, his use of the (often debated) split screen during a telephone exchange between Jody and Colt.

Or he expertly orchestrates the screen with an abundance of chaos, yet every element fits seamlessly. Consider the moment we witness Jody stepping onto the set as a director for the first time. The frame, propelled again by a long-tracking shot, bursts with activity – from gratuitous explosions to crew members bustling about, along with subtle gestures that pay off later, all while solidifying Jody's commanding presence as a filmmaker.

While Colt finds himself amidst the film's more eccentric sequences – whether navigating a psychedelic journey involving a pub brawl and a unicorn or engaging in a gripping road chase with a dog in tow - Jody still gets a lot going on for her agency.

The charming chemistry between Gosling and Blunt helps matters a lot, with Gosling bringing his Nice Guys-zaniness into play here while Blunt's underappreciated comedic talents find ample room to shine. Bullet Train Movie Review: Brad Pitt, Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s Blood-Soaked Thriller Revels In the Tongue-In-Cheek Chemistry of Its Cast! 

Where The Fall Guy 'Falls'

However, The Fall Guy isn't without its missteps. At times, the meta-humor hits the mark, but there are instances where it falls flat. No amount of self-deprecation can excuse the laziness of having a villain monologue their nefarious plans to the hero before the intention to finish him off.

Additionally, the 'dramatic' moments in the romantic subplot fail to evoke the same emotional resonance as Colt shedding tears to Taylor Swift's "All Too Well" in the confines of a car. Colt's life-altering accident, which leaves him emotionally withdrawn, is initially relatable and understandable, but the need for him to articulate it to Jody (why wasn't she more empathetic of his mental state then?) in the third act feels forced.

Furthermore, the contrived nature of the villains' scheme raises questions – SPOILER ALERT – if the objective was to ensnare Colt in a murder plot, armed with his facial schematics, why go to such lengths to lure him to unnecessary locations?

Final Thoughts on The Fall Guy

The Fall Guy may not always make sense for its plot, but the romantic action comedy still gets a big thumbs up for being a fun-filled ride, propelled by the lively performances of Emily Blunt and a truly high-on-'Ken'ergy Ryan Gosling.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 01, 2024 02:37 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).