High-octane thrills in rom-com with action violence and drugs.
“The Fall Guy” is a big, boomy action-comedy starring Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt. Like the 1980s TV series it’s based on, the movie doesn’t take itself too seriously, poking fun at Hollywood while celebrating the hard, often unrecognized work of stunt performers. Gosling’s Colt has a life-threatening injury in the beginning of the movie (though the accident itself isn’t shown), but, beyond that, stunt work is made to look really cool, even aspirational. The movie was directed by former stunt performer David Leitch, who is known for creating some of the industry’s best action sequences, and it has tons of action violence and peril, as well as a glimpse of a dead body and another implied death. But viewers are constantly reminded that most of the physical fights, attacks, shootouts, car crashes, explosions, and — of course — giant jumps, car rolls and falls are stunts. Drug use is part of the storyline, and while it’s not presented in a positive light, the consequences are funny. Characters also drink (beer, tequila shots, champagne) and swear (“s—,” “goddamn,” “a–hole” and more, plus one use of “f—ing”), and the movie includes flirting and kissing. There are clear messages about persistence and integrity, as well as the importance of honest communication. (126 minutes)
