The Fall Guy

It’s a little bold to brand ‘The Fall Guy’ as “based” on the 1980’s TV series that shares the same title.  Perhaps “inspired by” would be a better fit for a label, ’cause save for the primary character’s name, his profession, and the truck he drives….this movie is its own unique animal.

But thankfully, unlike a lot of other big screen adaptations of small screen fare, it’s a beauty.

Ryan Gosling, fresh off his Ken-dom, is the perfect fit, if even for the moment, for the lead of this one.  His Colt Seavers is cool, yes….he’s one of the best stunt performers in the business.  But Gosling gets to flex his comedy chops too, for Seavers isn’t necessarily what you’d call a moron – but you COULD safely term a bonehead.  If memory serves me correct, Lee Majors always carried more swagger than silly face – but again, whatever works…

At the onset of the movie, Colt is in a relationship with Jody Moreno (Emily Blunt), a skilled camera operator who’s itching to move up the ladder to directing.  Seavers puts most of the food on table as a stunt double for superstar Tom Ryder (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and, yes, you could call THIS guy a moron.  And a narcissist – the kind of phony baloney action star that likes to brag about how he does his own stunts.

During a shoot, something goes awry, and Colt is seriously injured.  He blames himself for the mishap and walks away from both Jody and the business, opting to park cars at a Mexican restaurant.  Not glamorous, but the burritos are free.  Eighteen months later comes a phone call from producer Gail Meyer (Hannah Waddingham, ‘Ted Lasso’) who coaxes Colt to return to the stunt game for a film shoot in Australia, a movie starring Ryder and marking the directorial debut of Jody.  But Meyer has an ulterior motive….the headlining star has vanished and she needs Colt to find him.  I mean, what could possibly go wrong?

Director David Leitch is no stranger to action movies, and it shows with ‘The Fall Guy’.  The stunt work is outstanding and really, why shouldn’t it be?….this whole concept is a tribute to the stunt person, the unsung hero, and ‘The Fall Guy’ does them proud.  Sure, it’s dopey.  But I appreciate a movie that isn’t near as concerned with being brilliant as it is with being FUN.  Like a bit summer movie should be!