The Fall Guy

“The Fall Guy,” is a feature film adaptation of the 1980s TV series of the same name created by Glen A. Larson, which starred Lee Majors.

The film opens with narration from the protagonist/hero Colt Seavers (Ryan Gosling), chronicling his life as a stuntman and the dangers of the job. He is living the dream, a dream-job, with his dream-girl, making movies… Until one day an incident takes him out of the stunt game, and he loses it all.

After months out of the movie business, Colt get a call to return and that one call sets us up for a wild ride of a action film.

Let’s begin with the plot, erratic at first, which is by design, then a clever well thought out storyline is revealed. The style and direction of film has a lot to do with the director David Leitch, a former stuntman himself and director of action films (“Bullet Train,” “Atomic Blonde,” “John Wick”).

This film comes across as a passion project. The director wants the viewer to see a side of the action films we often don’t really think about. The dangers of the stuntman and some of what that entails, and that message comes across well. A big reason for that is the acting of the two lead characters Jody Moreno (Emily Blunt) and Colt Seavers (Ryan Gosling). They are sublime together. The film is ultimately a comedy, but has a few dramatic moments and the leading actors truly excel. The remaining ensemble is cohesive and adds continuity.

Now to be objectionable content, there is enough to go around. There is drug use (with a drug trip scene), drinking and extreme violence and fighting, although minimal blood is shown. Offensive language includes sh**, a**, he**, and an instance of blasphemous language—“G*d-d*mn” and “Oh my g*d”—which are completely unnecessary and added nothing an otherwise not too offensive story and plot.

“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” —Proverb 16:18

The film conveys an overall story of pride. Colt is broken gets a chance at redemption. This resonates with our nature of self redemption, doing it ourselves, but no matter what we do, our good works are not what redeems us. That comes from the death and resurrection of Jesus.

I found this film overall enjoyable, but objectionable content is distracting and ultimately brings the film down.

• Violence: Very Heavy
• Profane language: Very Heavy — Chr*st (1), J*sus (3-4), G*d d*mn (6), several other misuses of God’s name, H*ll
• Vulgar/Crude language: Heavy — F-words (2) + FU-gestures (several), S-words (25-30), A**
• Drugs/Alcohol: Moderately Heavy
• Nudity: Moderate — male upper bodies, female cleavage and tight clothing
• Sex: Moderate — no sex scenes; man comments to a woman: “You look good in anything. You look good in nothing;” flashbacks to past romantic cuddling and tender kissing; a passionate kiss; sensual dancing; brief romantic discussions; an adultery joke; flirting; innuendos; woman says something about a “bangin’ revenge bod”
• Wokeism: Minor
• Occult: None

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