The Fall Guy

Directed by David Leitch

Written by Drew Pearce

Colt Seavers (Ryan Gosling) is a leading stuntman, dating camera woman and budding director Jody (Emily Blunt) and stuntman for A-List star Tom Ryder (Aaron Taylor-Johnson). But his life is turned on its head when an on set accident makes him turn his back on the industry. After spending a year working as a valet he’s surprised to receive a call from producer Gail Meyer (Hannah Waddingham) offering him the chance to be the stuntman on Jody’s directorial debut movie. But when he gets there, to Jody’s surprise, he finds Gail needs him to find the missing Ryder. It leads Colt into a world of drugs violence and murder, the ideal place for his stunt skills as he tries to find Ryder and save Jody’s film.

This is a film with a lot of promise, a great cast, a 1980s reboot and a director known for spectacular action. But unfortunately for me it fell short of the fun I was hoping for.

The film has plenty of fun moments, Gosling and Blunt are enjoyable as you’d expect, it’s got some great nods to the original, the Six Million Dollar Man and Miami Vice turn up too. It’s at its best when it is knowingly cheesy. And it’s no surprise Leitch delivers some great set pieces. But it is a film of moments and sadly, for me, those moments aren’t often enough.

It doesn’t quite settle between action and romantic comedy and never quite pulls either version off. And at 126 minutes it’s too long and does feel it at times.

It’s by no means terrible and when it gets it right there is a lot to enjoy and do stay for the end credit sequences.

I wanted to enjoy The Fall Guy more than I did. It’s a film of moments. Gosling and Blunt are hugely watchable. It’s at its funniest when it’s knowingly cheesy and comes with some spectacular action set pieces. But between moments it felt like it dragged and never quite settled as either an action or romantic comedy. Not quite on the money, but still things to enjoy.