The Fall Guy

In cinemas now

It’s arguable that David Leitch’s The Fall Guy wouldn’t work nearly as well were it not for its casting of Ryan Gosling, Hollywood’s man of the moment, in the lead role. Fresh off the heels of his riotous performance in Barbie, Gosling once again effortlessly assumes the mantle of an undeniably handsome but hopelessly goofy protagonist that will win the affections of his crush at all costs. The fact that said crush is played by the ever-entertaining Emily Blunt just adds to the appeal of this empty-headed and big-hearted blockbuster. 

Loosely based on the 1980s series of the same name, The Fall Guy is perhaps best described as a rom-com dressed as an espionage thriller, with Gosling’s character investigating the disappearance of Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s obnoxious leading man (who may or may not be loosely based on Tom Cruise) while also trying to win his ex-girlfriend (Blunt) back. While it is disappointingly light on genuine laugh-out-loud moments, the film demonstrates an endearing admiration for its unsung topic - the stunt man - and is a darn sight more entertaining that many of the action flicks it so lovingly parodies.

Above all else, this is further proof that no leading man is more bankable than Gosling right now, although strong supporting turns from Blunt, Taylor-Johnson, Hannah Waddingham, and Winston Duke certainly aid his cause here.