“The Fall Guy,” directed by David Leitch and written by Drew Pearce, is a 2024 American action comedy that is loosely based on the 1980s TV series. The plot follows a stuntman, played by Ryan Gosling, working on his ex-girlfriend’s (Emily Blunt) directorial debut action film, only to find himself entangled in a conspiracy surrounding the film’s lead actor, portrayed by Aaron Taylor-Johnson. The cast also features Hannah Waddingham, Teresa Palmer, Stephanie Hsu, and Winston Duke.
The Fall Guy premiered at SXSW on March 12, 2024, and was released in the United States on May 3 by Universal Pictures. It received generally positive reviews from critics and has grossed $165 million worldwide.
I have to say, I REALLY liked this movie. As a Ryan Gosling supporter through and through, I love his work and his movies so much that I am sometimes biased in my views of them, even when I know a movie he is in may not be up to par. That being said, this movie was great. It had a lot of heart and goes out of its way to keep you fully engaged in the plot and the action the entire time.
The action is the movie’s entire selling point. Most of the movie consists of well-filmed action sequences that are a lot of fun to watch and are easy to keep up with. The most compelling aspect of this film is that it serves as a love letter to stuntmen everywhere and their importance in the film industry.
Ryan Gosling delivers a fantastic performance as the stuntman navigating a chaotic and dangerous scenario, and Emily Blunt shines as his ex-girlfriend turned director. Aaron Taylor-Johnson adds an intriguing layer to the story with his portrayal of the film’s lead actor caught in a conspiracy. The supporting cast, including Hannah Waddingham, Teresa Palmer, Stephanie Hsu, and Winston Duke, all contribute to the film’s dynamic and entertaining atmosphere.
Overall, “The Fall Guy” was an absolute delight. It managed to balance heart, humor, and high-octane action, making it an engaging watch from start to finish. As someone who loves action comedies and appreciates the craft of stunt performers, this movie hit all the right notes for me.
I would give it 4.5 oranges out of 5.
