The Fall Guy

By Joanna Langfield

This is a movie that loves action. And stunt people. And romantic comedies. This is a movie that just plain loves movies. And resistance, my friends, is futile.

The movie is a blast. And many more blasts after that. After all, it is a romantic comedy that takes place during the production of a big, blasting action picture. It’s to the credit of its tremendously game stars, along with director David Leitch’s attempt at balance, that we get involved with the slim and sometimes silly storyline at all. Because, at its very generous heart, this is a movie that celebrates movies and the people who make them. Especially the stunt people, who, up until now, have been pretty much left out of the spotlight. (It’s especially good timing this one’s coming along just as the Academy has, reportedly, been mulling over adding a new Oscar for stunt work. Maybe this will push them to acknowledge these deserving and essential people.)

Crowds may show up for the impressive action scenes but, for me, I’m just as happy to watch two of my favorite current stars show up in theirs. Emily Blunt told me once she picks her roles with an eye to doing something she’s never done before. I’m not sure this part is exactly that, but it does offer her another chance to show both her sweet and kick butt sides. And it’s Ryan Gosling who proves, if there was any question about it, he is, indeed, a movie star. In each and every scene (and he’s virtually in almost every one of them), he’s simply super.

And I can’t let it go unsaid that there is a much-appreciated acceptance of modern sexual identities at play here. Blunt’s director Jody wears her role of authority beautifully. And Gosling’s Colt is a tough guy who isn’t afraid to sit in his truck and cry to Taylor Swift. Who among us can’t relate to that?