The Fall Guy

Ryan Gosling

I found David Leitch's The Fall Guy to be just diverting enough to recommend it. Leitch a former stunt man turned director, with such action packed films as Atomic Blonde and Bullet Train to his credit, is well on his way to becoming the Hal Needham of the 21st century, but The Fall Guy is at least suited to the narrow range of his talents. Ryan Gosling plays the titular stunt man who finds himself working on a science fiction film helmed by an ex-flame played by Emily Blunt. Gosling's character has to perform hair raising stunts, thwart the nefarious plans of the film's villains, and reclaim the heart of his lady love. Which, of course, he does since he is the Goose and this is a formulaic star vehicle built around his good looks and charm. 

I did find that the picture captured the camaraderie of a film set and provided some appealing character roles for its supporting cast: particularly Hannah Waddington, Stephanie Hsu, Winston Duke, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson who turns in an amusing parody of Matthew McConaughey. Blunt, who earned her action spurs on Edge of Tomorrow, has much less to do here than the Goose, but ably portrays a once bitten character who is wary of the macho lug before inevitably falling into his arms. It is a tribute to Ms. Blunt's talents that she is still being cast as a romantic lead even after reaching the Hollywood sell by date of the big 4-0. The relaxed assurance of Gosling ultimately is what sells this picture. The former Mouseketeer brings the physical grace of a dancer to the action scenes and a shy courtliness to the romantic ones.