Stunt Work Takes the Lead in ‘The Fall Guy’ — SXSW

One of my fondest childhood memories is visiting an amusement park. It wasn’t the rollercoasters that captivated me, but rather the shows, especially the stunt shows. Sitting just feet away from the Waterworld stunt show was exhilarating. You’d hold your breath as the performers accomplished what seemed to be impossible feats. That same adrenaline rush is what makes action films so enjoyable. Despite the death-defying stunts performed and the impeccable choreography by stunt coordinators, these talented individuals often receive little to no recognition. Enter The Fall Guy, a film that delivers thrilling excitement and pays homage to the old-school stunt work that paved the way.

Colt Seavers (Ryan Gosling; Barbie) is a stuntman. In fact, he’s the stuntman and doubles for one of the hottest action stars, Tom Ryder (Aaron Taylor-Johnson; Bullet Train), while pitching woo at his crush and camera woman Jody (Emily Blunt; Oppenheimer).  After a bone-crushing accident on set (he literally breaks his back), Colt leaves Hollywood and completely ghosts Jody. A year later, he receives a call from a producer (Hannah Waddingham; Ted Lasso) to get back into action and resume his career as a stuntman for Tom, who is starring in Jody’s mega-budget sci-fi epic directorial debut. 

He arrives on set to a tepid Jody, but that’s only half the problem. The star actor, Tom, has gone missing. So Colt takes it upon himself to find Tom in order to save Jody’s film. Seems easy enough, but this task takes us on a journey filled with twists, turns, punches, kicks, and more. 

Real-life stuntman David Leitch (Bullet Train) helms The Fall Guy as if it’s his own personal story. And as he shared on the SXSW stage, the story shares similarities to his own career and romance journey with his spouse. Inspired by the 1980s series of the same name (created by Glen A. Larson), writer Drew Pearce (Hobbs & Shaw) packs the script with meta Hollywood references, quips, cutesy moments, and more. But, not only in this film but within the film inside the film, Metalstorm, the sci-fi epic Jody’s creating. 

Gosling has chemistry with every person on screen. Colt’s bashful loverboy moments with Jody will make the coldest hearts swoon. Blunt’s perfect in these moments, effortlessly funny. Winston Duke (Black Panther) plays Dan, a stunt coordinator and Colt’s longtime friend. Their friendship is believable and solidified with very witty banter. 

The Fall Guy is a blast in a spicy margarita glass. It’s almost unexpected how the film unfolds. You think you’re getting a comedy about a stuntman, but it morphs into an action romantic comedy that sings the praises of the unsung heroes of the film industry. The old-school stunt work deserves to be viewed on a big screen. There is a moment in the film where Gosling’s character is talking about how the different stunts hurt. It’s supposed to be a tender moment because he’s talking to the love of his life, but it hit me differently because I thought about how these stunt performers put their bodies through a lot of wear and tear for our enjoyment.

Reflecting on the talent and dedication behind these cinematic feats fills the heart with warmth and appreciation for the artistry that creates unforgettable movie moments. It’s an all-encompassing, high-octane experience peppered with witty meme-worthy one-liners. And with the groundwork laid so brilliantly, one can’t help but wonder: is The Fall Guy 2 on the horizon?

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars