Beneath the eye candy that is Emily Blunt and Ryan Gosling, the action-comedy film The Fall Guy is a subtle nudge on modern society, where technology has played a pivotal role in shaping our perceptions of reality.
Directed by David Leitch (Atomic Blonde and Bullet Train), The Fall Guy is based on the 1980s action-adventure television series of the same title.
According to David, the film is a tribute to the brave but unheralded people working on movie sets: the stuntmen.
"They’re the ones that really make the magic happen. I just thought it was time to tell a story from their perspective," David told Entertainment Weekly.
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Speaking of stunts, The Fall Guy reportedly broke a Guinness World Record for the most cannon rolls performed in a car.
Stuntman Logan Holladay, who served as Ryan's stunt driver in the film, set new record after pulling off eight and a half flips during filming en route to the milestone previously held by Adam Kirley for Casino Royale.
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THE FALL GUY: SYNOPSIS
Colt Seavers (Ryan Gosling), a worn-out and once-renowned action choreographer and stuntman, unexpectedly reunites on a film set with Tom Ryder (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), a former actor he used to double for.
The film is a sci-fi action thriller directed by Colt's ex-flame Jody Moreno (Emily Blunt). It is Jody's directorial debut, making it a special and long-awaited project for her.
In the middle of the shoot, Tom curiously disappears under strange circumstances while on location in Sydney, Australia.
His disappearance threatens to put the ambitious project in limbo.
Colt takes it upon himself to track Tom out of love for Jody, but at what cost?
What is the reason behind Tom's disappearance? Does it have anything to do with Colt?
What are the things that Colt will discover about Tom and the people around them?
THE FALL GUY: VERDICT
Gosling, fondly wearing a Miami Vice jacket in the movie, has said that The Fall Guy is sort of a homage to classic action movies.
From lengthy car chases to big explosions on land, water, and air to intense hand-to-hand and gun combat situations — there's no shortage of these adrenaline-fueled scenes throughout the movie.
Moreover, the film takes a jab at the artificial reality fostered by modern technology, a phenomenon poised to expand with the rise of AI and deepfakes.
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This resonates particularly within stunt work, where skilled stand-ins tackle perilous sequences while lead actors often take a backseat, showing the contrast between authenticity and illusion in the filmmaking process.
Throwing the romance element between Colt and Jody gives the film an emotional pull, and Emily and Ryan look good together on screen.
In summary, The Fall Guy is an entertaining rollercoaster ride, filled with adrenaline-pumping action sequences and an unexpected plot twist that cleverly drives the story forward.
The exciting stunts serve as the perfect complement to a film that is both enjoyable and engaging throughout.
Catch The Fall Guy in cinemas nationwide starting on May 1, 2024.