The Fall Guy

SHOWTIMES

A stuntman has to try and locate the missing star of his ex-girlfriend’s film in The Fall Guy. Colt Seavers (Ryan Gosling) is one of the best stuntmen in the business, often working a double for action superstar Tom Ryder (Aaron Taylor-Johnson). After being injured in a stunt gone wrong, Colt departs into a life of solitude, ceasing contact with his camera operator girlfriend Jody Moreno (Emily Blunt). Out of the blue, Colt is called by producer Gail Meyer (Hannah Waddingham), asking Cole to fly to Australia to be a last-minute replacement stuntman on Jody’s debut directorial feature. However, Colt soon learns that Tom has gone missing and has to be found within 48 hours or the film will be cancelled.

The Fall Guy Synopsis

The Fall Guy is an action romantic comedy co-written and directed by David Leitch (Atomic Blonde, Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw, Bullet Train). The film is a homage to Leitch’s prior career as a stunt performer, starring Ryan Gosling (Barbie) as ace stuntman Colt Seavers, working with his friend and stunt coordinator Dan Tucker, played by Winston Duke (Black Panther, Us). Colt is assigned by ruthless producer Gail Meyer, played by Hannah Waddingham (Ted Lasso), to locate star Tom Ryder, played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Kick-Ass, Bullet Train), who has become involved with some shady people.

Colt goes on the hunt for Tom, receiving assistance from his girlfriend and co-star Iggy Starr (Teresa Palmer) and personal assistant Alma Milan (Stephanie Hsu). Meanwhile, Colt tries to repair his relationship with his ex-girlfriend Jody Moreno, played by Emily Blunt (Oppenheimer, Edge of Tomorrow), who was hurt when Colt ceased all contact after his injury. Saving Jody’s first film as director offers Colt the biggest opportunity to make amends.

My Thoughts on The Fall Guy

The Fall Guy ends up being an entertaining homage to the work of stunt performers, thanks in no small part to the on-screen charisma of Ryan Gosling. It almost becomes a recurring gag how much damage Colt Seavers is willing to endure, even when the threats he faces become very real. The action of the film is balanced nicely with the romantic subplot between Cody and Emily Blunt’s Jody Moreno.

That way, while The Fall Guy is an entertaining film, it is also a rather forgettable one. The progression of the plot of the film is rather easy to predict and is merely a way to showcase the many insane stunts of the film. It can probably be argued that The Fall Guy is a way for David Leich to campaign for the addition of an Academy Award for Stunts, with the film even making mention of the lack of such an Oscar.

Altogether, while probably not the most memorable of action comedies, The Fall Guy still makes for a fun time at the movies.

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Trailer for The Fall Guy