'The Fall Guy' finds way to VOD
Midweek update: Ryan Gosling stars as Colt Seavers
An ode to Hollywood stuntmen disguised as an action/thriller/rom-com is available to purchase on video on demand as of May 21.
Though it just hit theaters on May 3, the Universal picture “The Fall Guy” has been made available to rent or purchase on VOD distributors like Amazon and Apple.
“The Fall Guy” stars Ryan Gosling as Colt Seavers, a hotshot stuntman who falls on hard times after an injury caused by a hard fall. (The “fall” motif recurs a lot here.)
Seavers had fallen for Jody Moreno (Emily Blunt) while working together; but after his injury he can’t bear to see her. He’s lured out of his retirement to work on her directorial debut, a sci-fi epic called “Metalstorm,” but finds out once he arrives on set that the star has gone missing. Seavers is tasked with tracking down the star and saving the film – and trying to rekindle his romance.
The film is directed by David Leitch (“Deadpool 2,” “John Wick,” “Bullet Train”), a former stuntman himself, and the film makes good use of practical action. Leitch keeps the pace moving, while showing off what can be done when stunts are a focus. While some films lose connection with the audience as they move into CGI-heavy third acts, “The Fall Guy” stays human throughout, with even the spectacular stunts maintaining a feeling of reality.
Gosling remains effortlessly charming, and his chemistry with Blunt helps propel the film.
Tom Ryder (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) is the missing arrogant lead; producer Gail (Hannah Waddingham) is a behind-the-scenes mover and shaker who calls Colt into action.
The film blends action, mystery, and romance with skill from a script by Drew Pearce; in tone, it fits with “The Fall Guy” show that it is loosely based on, even if the plot specifics vary. There’s no need to be a “The Fall Guy” expert to check out this fun action romp, though longtime fans will find some bits more rewarding.
Matthew Price, matthew@matthewlprice.com, has written about comics, film, and other entertainment topics for more than two decades. He is the co-owner of Speeding Bullet Comics in Norman, Oklahoma.