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Prior to its premiere at the SXSW film festival, there were negative reactions in the audience for The Fall Guy. However, these reactions were not directed towards the film or its stars, Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt, but rather towards a preview for the festival’s tech conference. The preview boasted about the potential of AI as a “great equalizer” and its ability to make us more “human,” which was met with some amusement from the audience. It’s ironic how this statement was made before a film that celebrates the hardworking individuals behind movies, particularly the challenging and grand art of human stunts. It’s even more comical that The Fall Guy, written by Drew Pearce and directed by David Leitch, who also worked on Bullet Train, also takes a jab at AI in its storyline. It’s worth mentioning that the film’s deepfakes are not depicted in a positive light.
The Fall Guy, an adaptation of the 80s television show, offers a delightful and humble response to the domination of digital effects in both real life and cinema (with all due respect to VFX artists). It pays tribute to blockbuster films and their grand illusions, which are brought to life by numerous individuals working in harmony, often behind the scenes, and especially the often overlooked efforts of stunt doubles. The film also consistently entertains, with two hours of witty dialogue delivered with impeccable timing, two genuine movie stars who exude chemistry, various clever satire of the industry, and of course, a plethora of daring stunts.
Gosling, who recently became a popular musician due to winning an Oscar and his natural charm, is at the top of his game as the lead in this comedy as Colt Seavers. Colt is a veteran of movie stunts who has lost his confidence due to an injury on set. Now jaded and living in LA working as a valet for a Mexican restaurant, Colt is forced back into the movie business by producer Gail (played by Hannah Waddingham) for the troubled production of a science fiction movie called Metalstorm, which is aiming to become popular at Comic-Con. The twist is that Metalstorm is being directed by Jody (played by Blunt), the woman that Colt loves but had previously cut off all contact with after his injury, leaving her hurt, confused, and resentful.
The secondary issue is that Jody’s co-star, Tom Ryder, who portrays a renowned action hero, is unexpectedly absent. This puts the studio at risk of cancelling Jody’s first film and jeopardizes her lifelong ambition. In a desperate effort to rescue the film, Colt embarks on a search for Tom in Sydney. However, he discovers that Tom’s stunt work has extended beyond the set and is intertwined with dubious characters and mysterious circumstances. Essentially, Tom is like a real-life version of a Ken action figure.
Reworded: Leitch, a veteran stuntman for over two decades (including serving as a stunt double for Brad Pitt), takes the helm of the film with a clear love for movie sets and a wealth of expertise in his craft. The Fall Guy delivers a delightful display of classic stunts: explosions, rigged scenes, trained animals, car chases, crashes, fake weapons, fight choreography, and more, all seamlessly integrated into the entertaining-yet-dumb plot of Metalstorm, a playful satire of films like Cowboys & Aliens and Dune. It pays tribute to and pokes fun at common movie set tropes, including the egoistic producer Gail, the inept movie star Tom Ryder, the capable stunt coordinator Dan (played by Winston Duke), and the conniving assistant Alma Milan (played by Stephanie Hsu). The film also includes split screens, a well-crafted storyline, references to Tom Cruise, and even addresses the lack of an Oscars category for stunt work. (Perhaps recognizing Logan Holiday, the stuntman for The Fall Guy who set a Guinness World Record by performing 8.5 car cannon rolls during filming.)
This is a playful and charming romantic film, showcasing the skill of creating large and daring stunts in movies. It is genuinely appreciative without taking itself too seriously. The storyline is lacking, and at times implausible, but it serves as a means to an exciting finale filled with stunts that are truly commendable. Director Leitch has achieved something rare in the world of blockbuster films – a high-budget production that pleases its audience without pandering to them, and puts value on human effort. The film also incorporates humor without seeming insincere, aided by the comedic talent of Gosling. Overall, The Fall Guy effectively celebrates the impressive feats achieved on the big screen for the sake of entertainment, ranking among the best.
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The movie “The Fall Guy” will be featured at the SXSW festival and will hit theaters on May 2nd.
Source: theguardian.com
