The movie business loves to focus on itself. The number of films about movie-making are probably too numerous to count. But one area of film art still needs to get center-stage treatment: stunts. These are the people who do the cool and dangerous things viewers love to see but they don’t get a lot of recognition. The Fall Guy changes that, in a thoroughly entertaining way.
Colt Seavers (Ryan Gosling) is the stunt double for world-famous movie star Tom Ryder (Aaron Taylor-Johnson). When Colt does his job right, the audience doesn’t notice him. His body takes the punishment but Tom gets the glory. However, Colt is okay with that because he likes his job and has a good thing going with camera operator Jody (Emily Blunt). Then Colt has an accident on set that changes things. He retreats from movies and everyone in his old life for a year and a half. But a phone call from producer Gail (Hannah Waddingham) brings him back on set to help Jody complete her first film as director. The situation is more complex, though, as it turns out Tom has disappeared and there’s a dead body in a hotel room. Colt will have to use all his physical skills to solve the mystery and get Jody back.
The Fall Guy shows tremendous respect for stunt work and the people who make that happen, as well as for romance in storytelling. And the extended edition now streaming on Peacock just adds more of that love.
“It’s a movie, it’s not supposed to be real.”
This film balances action and romance in a way that you don’t see very often. The very first sequence of this film is an example of that. In voiceover, Colt describes his job and how he and Jody have “something out of the movies” together. Then we see him discuss reshooting a falling stunt, take his position for the camera, and sneak in some flirting with Jody, all in one impressive unbroken shot. In the movie business, they call that a “one-er,” which is cleverly mentioned in this film.
And that’s not the only example of this movie’s affection for the film industry. The movie Jody is directing is a sci-fi romance called Metalstorm that looks both ridiculous and somehow good. I kind of want to watch it. Most of all, though, The Fall Guy appreciates stunt people. Stunts can be an undeniably cool part of watching a film, and director David Leitch knows that. He used to be a stuntman himself. You can feel this team’s joy at creating moments like the car roll that breaks a Guinness World Record for the most rolls on film. One character expresses surprise and disdain that stunts do not have their own category at the Oscars, and a film fan like me will wholeheartedly agree.
Speaking of which, this film could be in contention for such an Oscar, if it existed. The action sequences here are fresh and interesting to watch. Colt mentions that he can still do one of his first stunts: driving a boat with his hands tied behind his back. And later in the film, he does it! Again, so clever! And, when Colt and Jody need to catch the bad guys once and for all, the stunt team from Metalstorm helps. This film truly celebrates the stunt community.
“I don’t think you should give up on that happy ending.”
The romance between Colt and Jody is just as successful as the action. Gosling and Blunt have excellent chemistry together, and you feel it from the beginning to the end. It’s wonderful to watch Colt go from hiding because he doesn’t feel good enough for her to admitting that to her. It’s very romantic. And Leitch knows how to milk the romance just like he does the thrills. He uses split screen in one scene, just like the Doris Day-Rock Hudson rom-com PIllow Talk did. The film is topped off with a triumphant kiss as pyrotechnics explode in the background—Chef’s kiss.
As for the additional footage in this edition, it is largely small moments or extensions of existing scenes. I understand why they were cut. None of them advance the love story and the mystery plot is clear without them. Taylor-Johnson’s character is even worse in this version. But all the additions fit in with the entertaining vibe of the entire film. I haven’t even mentioned the perfect use of KISS’ “I Was Made For Loving You” or the French stunt dog! Honestly, if you want action and romance, The Fall Guy is a film you have to watch. And the extended edition is just provides more reasons why.
The Fall Guy Extended Edition is streaming on Peacock.
