The Fall Guy ☆☆☆ 1/2

Starring: Emily Blunt, Ryan Gosling, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Hannah Waddingham

Directed by David Leitch

ollowing the success of Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer and Greta Gerwig’s Barbie, the 2023 awards season showcased a fascinating contrast between the intense historical drama of Oppenheimer and the vibrant, whimsical world of Barbie. The term “Barbenheimer” was coined to encapsulate the comparison between the two films and their box office success.

Emily Blunt and Ryan Gosling, who delivered standout performances in Oppenheimer and Barbie, respectively, delighted fans with their lighthearted interaction at the 2024 Oscars. This chemistry created excitement for their film, The Fall Guy, a remake of the 1980s television series.

In this action-packed, rom-com film, Ryan Gosling portrays Colt Seavers, an experienced stuntman, while Emily Blunt plays the role of Jody Moreno, a debut director. Their story doesn’t start there, though. They first met on the set of another film, where Colt was a stuntman and Jody was a camera assistant. Sparks flew, and a romance began. It was innocent, romantic, and funny. However, when Colt was preparing to perform a stunt, a tragic accident left him injured, leading him to leave both his job and his relationship with Jody. Colt started working as a valet, and was absolutely miserable. Soon, he received an unexpected offer to perform a stunt on Jody’s directorial debut.

The film Jody is directing is as bizarre as it gets: a grand sci-fi fantasy starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, where an alien falls in love with a human, leading to an imminent alien invasion. Yes, it’s a mishmash of Hollywood tropes. But as this grand epic unfolds, it becomes more and more silly and therefore, a lot of fun to watch.

The heart of the film lies in the dynamic between Colt and Jody. Their relationship is a rollercoaster of humor, romance, and tension. Despite their past issues, Colt agrees to be the stuntman, driven by his lingering feelings for Jody. However, Jody, still resentful over Colt’s disappearance, subjects him to a series of punishing stunts as a form of revenge, including setting him on fire multiple times, which is absolutely hilarious to watch. It’s not life threatening, but it’s certainly satisfying for a breakup.

To reveal more would spoil the film, but there are many endearing moments and intriguing questions. How did a skilled stuntman like Colt find himself involved in a horrifying accident? Was it bad luck or someone’s orchestration? If so, who were they and why? Apart from their past issues, will Jody and Colt have a future? Why are we so enamored with this film?

The Fall Guy is a romantic comedy with action sequences. The film’s charm lies in its rewatch value, revealing new layers of humor and character development with each viewing. Unlike Tom Cruise films where exhilarating action sequences drive the narrative, stunts in The Fall Guy serve as a metaphor for the characters’ personal challenges and triumphs.

As Colt strives to win back Jody’s affection, he also becomes entangled in a mystery surrounding the disappearance of the film’s leading man. The movie seamlessly blends a nostalgic nod to the original series with thrilling stunts as well as sharp comedic moments. Additionally, The Fall Guy sheds light on the often perilous and overlooked work of stunt professionals, highlighting the extreme risks they take and how a single mistake can have devastating consequences. When you watch the next Marvel superhero film and wonder how the stunts look absolutely brilliant, remember the stunt coordinators who make it possible.

While the film may not have been a box office success, it is highly enjoyable and pays tribute to a time when the romantic comedy genre was so entertaining that we would watch such films every time they were on TV. The Fall Guy offers an entertaining blend of action, humor, and heartfelt moments. The collective star power of Emily Blunt and Ryan Gosling creates the kind of chemistry that is organic, electric, and lovely to watch.

It also showcases the ability of Gosling and Blunt as actors who can feature in rom-coms and effortlessly switch between comedic banter and intense emotional scenes. As actors, they know how to add depth to the film and keep the audience invested in their characters as well as the plot.

The movie’s brisk pacing ensures a thrilling ride from start to finish. Whether you’re a fan of the original series or have never seen it before, The Fall Guy will engage you and create several LOL (laugh out loud) moments. Ultimately, it’s a film that delivers on all fronts and is one of those films you keep for the holiday season.

Rating system: *Not on your life * ½ If you really must waste your time ** Hardly worth the bother ** ½ Okay for a slow afternoon only *** Good enough for a look see *** ½ Recommended viewing **** Don’t miss it **** ½ Almost perfect ***** Perfection