The recent premiere of The Fall Guy at the crowded Paramount Theatre in Austin brought about a mix of emotions from the audience. Ryan Gosling, the star of the show, began the evening with a promise not to sing, which resulted in a combination of “awws” and “boos” from the crowd. Despite the mixed reactions, Gosling’s presence at the event was highly anticipated, especially following his Oscar-nominated performance in the song “I’m Just Ken.”
Similar to Amazon MGM’s Road House, The Fall Guy delivered an action-packed performance that had the audience in stitches and cheers throughout the movie. Although there was a missing Marvel film during the first weekend of May, this 1980s TV show-inspired action movie proved to be a suitable backup plan for movie enthusiasts. Gosling’s confession about not performing most of his stunts in the movie further endeared him to the crowd, as he praised his stunt double, Logan Holiday, for his incredible work.
During the post-screening Q&A, Gosling emphasized the importance of acknowledging the hard work and dedication of stunt performers in the film industry. This sentiment was echoed by The Fall Guy director, David Leitch, who described the movie as a “love letter to stuntmen.” The intricate plotline of the movie, which also includes a romantic element between Gosling and Emily Blunt’s characters, was well received by the audience, showcasing the versatility of the film’s storyline.
Leitch, who was a stuntman for 20 years before transitioning into directing, expressed his gratitude towards Gosling for bringing the movie to life and capturing the essence of the stuntman profession. The incorporation of love and appreciation for stunt performers in The Fall Guy serves as a poignant reminder of the often overlooked contributions made by the crew behind the scenes. As the audience erupted in applause at the romantic storyline in the movie, it became evident that The Fall Guy was not just an action-packed film, but a heartfelt tribute to the unsung heroes of the film industry.