Fresh off an almost career-ending accident, stuntman Colt Seavers has to track down a missing movie star, solve a conspiracy and try to win back the love of his life while still doing his day job.
Director David Leitch set out to make an old school Hollywood movie that has everything: action, drama, romance, even a little criminal detective work when he decided to create a film loosely based on the 1980s television series “The Fall Guy.” He did not make a good movie. This disappointing project can be summed up in just four words: “great stunts, weak script.” And despite a couple of fun moments sprinkled throughout, there isn’t enough here to live up to the film’s full potential.
After a stunt gone wrong derails his career, Hollywood stuntman Colt (Ryan Gosling) comes out of retirement when his crush Jody (Emily Blunt) needs a pro while directing her first movie. Sparks are rekindled, but then Colt finds himself entangled in a conspiracy and murder that becomes his most dangerous job yet.
For the most part, the film at least respects its audience, refraining from openly explaining its many wink-wink, pop culture references. It gets irritating, but at least it’s not dumbed down.
Another major problem with the film is that I did not buy Jody and Colt’s romance at all. Gosling and Blunt, as appealing as they are individually, just don’t have a lot of chemistry together. Their romantic scenes are awkward and forced, and it completely took me out of the movie when I was supposed to believe they are the perfect couple who are destined to be together.
That’s not to say Gosling isn’t great (I mean, let’s be honest, who doesn’t love him? He has that true “it” factor — that bonafide movie star charisma– and he is a delight here. It’s his co-star (despite her talent, of course) that sticks out like a sore thumb.
With the romance completely tanking, the rest of the subplots have to pick up the slack. Unfortunately, they break down as well. The drama doesn’t work because you know Colt will be okay in the end, and the crime angle is easily solvable. The only part that delivers is the action, but there isn’t enough of it.
I have to give credit where credit is due, and this is a movie that’s true to the world of stunts. Leitch gives a huge cinematic shout out to the men and women who put themselves in danger for our entertainment and for that, I applaud him. It’s one of the few things the film gets right (now it’s your turn, Academy: let’s get an Oscars category for Best Stunts).
Look, I know fans are going to go see “The Fall Guy” and their opinions may vary. But I was sorely disappointed in what could’ve been a fun, kick-off-the-summer-movie-season studio blockbuster. Instead, Leitch has delivered a certified dud.
