Recently on my flight back after Thanksgiving break I watched the movie The Fall Guy which was a very entertaining film that mixes action, suspense, and self reflection through showing the everyday life of stunt performers; the behind the scenes drama in Hollywood, as well as the fine line between reality and performance. While it is a big budget film with popular actors like Ryan Gosling and is filled with action it also uncovers deeper themes surrounding one’s identity, sacrifice, and the costs it takes to become famous, as well as examining the inherent danger of living in someone else’s shadow.
The film is about a Hollywood stuntman who suffers a very intense injury. Upon his return to the stuntman’s life he finds out that the man he is doing the stunts for intentionally played with the wires so he got hurt. Furthermore, the star in the plot of the film who hurt the stunt man accidentally killed his new stunt man and tried to cover it up by blaming Ryan Gosling who plays the role of the first stuntman. This plot could have easily been a typical action movie but it is much more than that. The film offers a different view of Hollywood movies and explores what it is like to be a stuntman in an industry that often overlooks the people who make the stars shine. Even the title itself refers to the term for a person who takes the blame or punishment for something they didn’t do, which plays into the film’s theme of sacrifice.
Furthermore throughout the film, Gosling’s character represents the concept of being a stunt performer by showing us that there are the ones that take all the hits and are often unnoticed and remain nameless because they risk their lives on film sets to create spectacle and illusion. Their contributions are frequently overlooked and they don’t receive the recognition or accolades given to the stars they help portray. In fact they mention in the film that there aren’t any Oscars or awards for Stuntman. This lack of visibility and acknowledgment reflects a larger societal issue where individuals who work behind the scenes are usually forgotten, even though their work is beyond important to the success of the final product. The film also highlights how emotionally taxing this invisibility can have on a person’s sense of self worth. The film demonstrates this with Gosling’s character struggling to find his place in an industry that discards people like they are nothing.
Additionally, the film also teaches us a lot about one’s identity. As a stuntman, Gosling’s character is forced to mimic and replicate the actions and mannerisms of the stars they are working for. This loss of self identity is a crucial element in the film, specifically with Gosling’s character being forced to confront the challenges of being defined solely by his profession. I think that his journey of self discovery and his fight for recognition is one that resonates not just with his job but with anyone whose life has been shaped by external expectations rather than personal desire.
Furthermore, the film highlights the theme of reflection. For Gosling’s character, redemption is not just about physically surviving the stunts but about reclaiming his dignity and sense of agency. Throughout the plot of the film he must find the gap between the person he has become which is created by his work and the person he wants to be.
Overall, I really enjoyed the film The Fall Guy and felt that it transcends the typical action genre. It uses Hollywood’s stunt industry to address themes of identity, sacrifice, and redemption. Through Gosling’s character he movie teaches us to consider the invisible costs of fame and the lives that remain hidden behind the spectacle. The film speaks to anyone who has ever felt unseen even though they offer a powerful input on what they are working on. I felt that the most important thing with this film is that it asks us to look beyond the surface and recognize the people who help make the world of entertainment what it is even though they are often the expense.
Side Note: I don’t know why but it wasn’t letting me upload any images. Sorry for the inconvenience.