Deborah Ross

A true popcorn movie: The Fall Guy reviewed

An action film that pokes fun at action films, which I now realise is my favourite kind of action film

Glorious: Ryan Gosling in The Fall Guy. © Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved  
issue 04 May 2024

The Fall Guy, starring Emily Blunt and Ryan Gosling, is a gloriously fun, screwball action film that pokes fun at action films and this, I now know, is my favourite kind of action film. I would even venture that it’s the sort of film that’s crying out to be enjoyed with a big old bucket of popcorn. Go wild with the stuff. I promise I won’t hiss or look daggers at you. This is a popcorn movie. It has that spirit – in spades.

Does anyone crash backwards through a plate glass window? Of course they do!

As a comedy set in the stunt world, it’s one of those Hollywood films that affectionately sends up Hollywood, like Tropic Thunder or Bowfinger. It is written by Drew Pearce and directed by David Leitch, who has form in the action genre (John Wick, Deadpool 2, Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw) and was once the stunt double for Brad Pitt.

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