Film Review: The Fall Guy 特技狂人 (2024) - USA
Rating: 7.5/10
2025 Review Count - 44
Support my goal of writing one film review per day in 2025 - https://www.patreon.com/neofilmreviews
Reviewed by Andrew Chan (Film Critics Circle of Australia)
Tagline: “A High-Flying Tribute to Hollywood’s Unsung Heroes”
David Leitch’s “The Fall Guy” is a film that revels in its own chaos, a kinetic blend of action, comedy, and Hollywood meta-commentary that feels like a love letter to the stunt performers who make the magic of cinema possible. It’s not a perfect film—far from it—but it’s the kind of unapologetically fun romp that reminds us why we go to the movies in the first place.
Ryan Gosling, as Colt Seavers, is the film’s beating heart. He’s a man who’s been knocked down by life—literally and figuratively—but never out. Gosling’s ability to balance physical comedy with genuine pathos is a marvel; he’s equally convincing when he’s delivering a punchline or nursing a broken heart. Emily Blunt, as Jody Moreno, matches him step for step. Her portrayal of a first-time director grappling with both professional pressure and personal baggage is sharp, funny, and deeply human. Together, they create a dynamic that’s as electric as it is endearing.
The supporting cast is equally game. Aaron Taylor-Johnson, as the egotistical action star Tom Ryder, is a delightfully over-the-top foil for Gosling’s everyman charm. Hannah Waddingham, as the scheming producer Gail Meyer, chews the scenery with gusto, while Winston Duke and Stephanie Hsu bring much-needed levity and heart to their respective roles.
The plot, as one might expect from a film about Hollywood stunts, is a whirlwind of absurdity. Colt’s journey from washed-up stuntman to reluctant detective is filled with twists, turns, and more than a few dead bodies. It’s all very silly, but Leitch’s direction ensures that it never feels dull. The action sequences are the film’s crown jewels—breathtakingly choreographed and executed with a sense of joy that’s infectious. There’s a particular sequence involving a garbage truck that’s both hilariously ridiculous and technically impressive, a testament to the skill of the real-life stunt performers the film celebrates.
Yet, for all its strengths, “The Fall Guy” stumbles in places. The humor, while often effective, occasionally veers into the realm of the juvenile, relying on tired gags that feel out of place in an otherwise clever script. The film’s attempts at emotional depth—Colt’s guilt over abandoning Jody, Jody’s struggle to prove herself as a director—are admirable but underdeveloped, leaving some of the more poignant moments feeling unearned.
Still, these flaws don’t detract from the film’s overall appeal. “The Fall Guy” is a celebration of cinema’s unsung heroes, a reminder that the people who make the impossible look effortless are often the ones who deserve the most recognition. It’s a film that doesn’t take itself too seriously, and in doing so, it becomes something genuinely special. (Neo, 2025)
#TheFallGuy
#DavidLeitch
#RyanGosling
#EmilyBlunt
#AaronTaylorJohnson
#特技狂人