A down-and-out stuntman must find the missing star of his ex-girlfriend’s blockbuster film.
Throughout the annals of film history, stunt performers have remained a crucial yet often undervalued facet of the cinematic experience. These brave men and women, who risk life and limb to capture those iconic moments on screen, undoubtedly deserve recognition akin to an Oscar. However, it’s understandable why the Academy might hesitate to bestow such accolades on stunt work.
Therefore it was truly gratifying to see David Leitch’s latest movie, The Fall Guy, pay tribute to stunt performers with the reverence they rightfully deserve. Brimming with breathtaking stunts and action sequences that mesmerize on the silver screen, The Fall Guy serves as a fitting platform to highlight the courage and skill of these unsung heroes, set against the backdrop of the filmmaking process itself.
Beyond the thrilling stunts, the movie is buoyed by the performances of its cast. Ryan Gosling’s magnetic charm and impeccable comedic timing carry the movie effortlessly. Emily Blunt is equally as charming and has perfect chemistry with Gosling. However, she felt constrained by her role as she is merely a love interest. Additionally, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Hannah Waddingham are both hysterical with their wild characters.
However, despite this praise, I am also frustrated with this movie. While The Fall Guy admirable celebrates stunt performers, its narrative is lazy. Despite having a very simple, standard, action comedy script, it is littered with plot holes and lacks logical coherence. For example, given the amount of destruction and mayhem that happens in this movie, no one seems to notice. There are no news reports or police presence at any of these events. Massive shootout in Sydney Harbor, Police: crickets, a destructive car chase in Downtown Sydney, Police: crickets, parking illegally by a hotel, Police: Hello There. These issues and many more, litter the entire screenplay. I understand, that this is supposed to be a silly movie and not be taken too seriously, but it doesn’t excuse the lazy writing that plagues the script.
Overall, I am happy that The Fall Guy exists and we need more movies like it. However, I am left deeply conflicted. On one hand, I am glad this movie honors stunt performers with all the respect they deserve, but on the other, they deserve a much better story than what was given here.
At least it brought back the behind-the-scenes footage during the closing credits.
My Rating: B-
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