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Prior to its premiere at the SXSW film festival on Tuesday, The Fall Guy already faced disapproval from the audience. This disapproval, however, was not directed towards the film itself or its stars Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt, who were both incredibly delightful. It was instead for a preview of the festival’s tech conference, which boasted about the potential of AI to level the playing field and make us more human (cue eye roll). The irony and unintentional jab was not lost on the audience, as the statement was made before a film that celebrates the hardworking individuals behind the movie-making industry, specifically the daring and impressive art of human stunts. It is even more comical that The Fall Guy, written by Drew Pearce and directed by David Leitch of Bullet Train, takes a dig at AI in its own script; it’s not much of spoiler to reveal that the deepfakes featured in the film are not used for altruistic purposes.
The Fall Guy, inspired by the popular 80s television show, is a delightful and down-to-earth response to the increasing presence of digital effects in both real life and the film industry (with all respect to the talented VFX artists). It pays homage to blockbuster movies and their grand illusions, which are brought to life by countless individuals working together, primarily behind the scenes, and specifically the often overlooked work of stunt doubles. Additionally, it consistently provides entertainment, with its perfectly timed jokes, two highly acclaimed actors with undeniable chemistry, clever jabs at the industry, and, of course, a plethora of insane stunts.
Gosling, who recently became a popular pop star due to his successful Oscars performance and his natural charm, shines as a leading actor in the comedy film “Colt Seavers.” Colt is a skilled stuntman in the movie industry, but his confidence takes a hit after getting injured during a shoot. He becomes jaded and ends up working as a valet at a Mexican restaurant in Los Angeles. However, his old producer Gail (played by Hannah Waddingham) convinces him to return to work for the troubled Australian filming of their sci-fi movie “Metalstorm,” which is targeted towards Comic-Con fans. The dilemma is that the movie is directed by Jody (played by Blunt), the woman Colt loves. After his injury, he ghosted her, causing her pain, confusion, and resentment.
The issue at hand is that Tom Ryder, who doubles as both a global action hero and the stand-in for Jody’s star Colt, is mysteriously absent. This puts the studio at risk of canceling Jody’s first film and ending her lifelong dream. In an effort to salvage the project, Colt travels to Sydney to locate Tom. To his surprise, he discovers that Tom’s stunt work goes beyond the film set and involves shady individuals and plot twists, making him a real-life action figure like Ken.
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With more than two decades of experience as a stuntman and even having filled in as a double for Brad Pitt, Leitch skillfully directs and brings a deep affection for film sets and extensive knowledge of the trade to the movie. The Fall Guy showcases the usual and exciting elements of stunts, such as explosions, complex rigging, trained animals, high-speed car chases and crashes, fake weapons, and fight choreography, all seamlessly intertwined into the light-hearted and humorous story of Metalstorm, a clever spoof of movies like Cowboys & Aliens and Dune. It’s a delightful homage to and satire of familiar movie set clichés, featuring characters like the self-absorbed producer Gail, the hapless movie star Tom Ryder, the lovable and capable stunt coordinator Dan (played by Winston Duke), and the conniving and mistreated assistant Alma Milan (played by Stephanie Hsu). The film also employs visual techniques like split screens and follows a typical narrative structure, all while playfully referencing Tom Cruise and highlighting the absence of an Oscars category for the best stunt work. (Perhaps it should recognize Logan Holiday, a stuntman in The Fall Guy who achieved a Guinness World Record of 8.5 cannon rolls in a car during filming.)
This movie is an enjoyable, light-hearted romantic tribute that appreciates the skill of creating thrilling stunts in big budget films without taking itself too seriously. The plot is simplistic and unrealistic, serving mainly as a setup for the exciting final stunt sequence that highlights the unsung heroes of the film industry. Director Leitch has achieved a rare feat in the world of blockbuster films – creating a high-budget movie that caters to its audience without pandering, and confidently embraces humor without feeling insincere. Ryan Gosling’s comedic timing only adds to the film’s success. “The Fall Guy” effectively celebrates the impressive levels of action and entertainment that can be achieved on the big screen, earning its place among the top contenders.
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The movie “The Fall Guy” will be screened at the SXSW festival and will be available in theaters on May 2nd.
Source: theguardian.com
