The Fall Guy

Movie producers have long mined the fields of old TV shows to find the perfect ones to move to the big screen. Often, they strike out, as some TV shows just don’t translate well to film. Others, though, hit the right notes. But of everything that has been made so far, one just seems so obvious – how have they not done this one yet? I am talking about The Fall Guy, a show about a movie stuntman, which, I don’t know, seems like a perfect fit to be a movie. Well, lucky for us, Director David Leitch is making it happen, and he along with stars Emily Blunt and Ryan Gosling are kicking off the summer movie season with a bang.

For the biggest movie star in the world, Tom Ryder (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), there is only one thing that can make his movie set complete: his stunt double. You see, Tom doesn’t do his own stunts, but that’s where Colt Seavers (Ryan Gosling) comes in. He makes Tom look good at falling or rolling a vehicle. During one such scene, Colt’s stunt goes wrong, resulting in an injury, and basically sidelining Colt from doing the thing he looks like he is so meant to do. Fast forward a little, and Colt receives a call from Gail Meyer (Hannah Waddingham), who is Tom’s producer, and she says Colt is needed to save Tom’s latest movie. Colt is not interested in getting back on the horse, but when he learns who the director is, he hops on a plane for Australia. The director’s name is Jody Moreno (Emily Blunt), with whom Colt has had a fling, but things didn’t end too well. It turns out, though, Jody didn’t request Colt, but as Tom is missing, only Colt can find him. Things don’t go easy, but Colt’s middle name is “danger”, and he might be the only one who can save the day and the film.

Written by Drew Pearce, based on the Glen A. Larson TV show, The Fall Guy is a movie about making a movie that lets the real heroes shine: the stunt team. As for the actual story, it doesn’t really make a lot of sense, but that is not a shortcoming; it is part of the concept. Now, don’t get me wrong about the story; it has a beginning and an end, but when it is all said and done, it won’t be the thing you are talking about.

The Fall Guy really isn’t part of the TV show’s universe but instead an entertaining and beautiful tribute to both the series and stunt people. There is a great mix of action, comedy, and romance, and in terms of a summer blockbuster, it’s exactly what you seek: a fun time at the theater. It might feel long at times, but it never dampers the mood, and that has a lot to do with its cast. Gosling is electric, and his chemistry with Blunt is pretty special, but they are not the only ones who shine, as the supporting cast is great together. While there are plenty of laugh-out-loud scenes, as well as ones that pull at the heartstrings, what we came for are the stunts. That is where the thrill comes from in The Fall Guy, as it pays homage to the profession of stunt men and women who do the hard work, something it does wonderfully, all to a great soundtrack, which includes changing what you see whenever you hear Phil Collins Against All Odds ever again. I can’t think of a better way to kick off Summer than with a Fall!