“The Fall Guy”: Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt let it rip – culture

Gosling magic instead of 80s nostalgia: Fortunately, David Leitch’s cinematic hit has little in common with the TV series of the same name.

Does anyone remember “A Colt for all occasions”? The US action series “The Fall Guy” flickered across our screens in the 1980s under this name. And anyone who zaps through the program of German special interest channels can still find them today: the always somewhat bumpy appearances of stuntman Colt, who goes around California after work as a shirt-sleeved bounty hunter.

As poorly as the series starring Lee Majors has aged, it would have been a mistake to rely entirely on nostalgia. Director David Leitch, who once gained a foothold in Hollywood as Brad Pitt’s stunt double, chose a more attractive route: He staged “The Fall Guy” not as a backwards remake, but as a contemporary reboot. As a screwball comedy that, with Ryan Gosling (“Barbie”) and Emily Blunt (“Oppenheimer”), should benefit greatly from its success in the first year after “Barbenheimer”.

Deep fall from cloud 7

“The Fall Guy” begins on a film set where sparks are flying: before stuntman Colt Seavers (Ryan Gosling) plunges into the depths for action star Tom Ryder (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), he flirts heavily with camerawoman Jody Moreno (Emily blunt). The lovebirds are already planning their evening program with Spicy Margeritas via radio connection.

But then the stunt fails and instead of being on the beach with his beloved, Colt finds himself seriously injured in the clinic. The carefree daredevil has become a broken man who puts everything on hold: his bones, his career, his love.

A year and a half passed before Colt – motivated by Jody’s rise in Hollywood – made a comeback. Once again he is supposed to give his bones for Tom Ryder, but this time under the direction of his ex-wife Jody Moreno…

Ode to the rarely sung about stunt community

The work of stunt people should be seen as a craft. But few directors pay her as much respect as David Leitch, who created action hits like “John Wick”. “The Fall Guy” is nothing less than Leitch’s love letter to the industry that enabled him to enter the film business.

Legend:

Even if it looks like it: Gosling didn’t carry out this hair-raising stunt himself.

Universal Studios

The stunt comedy is brimming with wild fight choreos, real explosions and expertly spinning cars. Devilish guy Logan Holladay even set a new world record with eight and a half flips that he completed with his vehicle.

Other action scenes, such as a 200-foot drop, were handled by Ryan Gosling himself. Not bad for a man who suffers from fear of heights. But he is always at his best in “The Fall Guy” when he can demonstrate his sense of tact and timing. For the gentle Canadian, a look or a gesture is often enough to ensnare the audience with his charm.

Fast-paced, but less romantic than intended

There’s only one thing the entertaining film doesn’t succeed in despite Gosling’s magic: spreading romance. On the one hand, this is due to the high-speed rhythm, which invites you to laugh and cheer along rather than to sympathize; but on the other hand also the cold chemistry between Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt.

Legend:

From Swoosh to Boing: slapstick junkies will get their money’s worth here, but romantics won’t.

Universal Studios

As well as the two harmonize as a cool comedy team, the two work surprisingly poorly as a credible couple. And that’s a bit sobering for a film that wants to arouse big feelings.

Cinema release: May 1, 2024