by Josh Sewell
The Fall Guy
(Rated PG-13 for action and violence, drug content and some strong language. Opens in theaters on May 3.)
(Rated PG-13 for action and violence, drug content and some strong language. Opens in theaters on May 3.)
Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt are coming off the biggest year of their careers, thanks to Barbie and Oppenheimer, both of which dominated the box office and the Oscars. (Sure, Barbie only took home a single trophy, but Gosling’s live performance of “I’m Just Ken” was easily the night’s most entertaining segment.)
It only makes sense they’d want to continue that “Barbenheimer” momentum. So, what better way than to team up with a fun, big-budget action extravaganza that utilizes their comedic talents and beautiful faces? That’s precisely what we get with The Fall Guy, which kicks off the summer movie season with plenty of laughs, romance and – most of all – crazy practical stunts.
In this big screen update of the popular 1980s television show, Gosling plays Colt Seavers, a retired stuntman called back into action when the star of an expensive sci-fi flick – directed by his ex, Jody Moreno (Blunt) – goes missing. While the film’s producer (Hannah Waddingham) attempts to hide the disappearance of Tom Ryder (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) from the press, Colt performs the film’s stunts and tries to rekindle the spark with Jody.
I’m glad Gosling is continuing to take full advantage of the sense of humor he demonstrated with not just Barbie, but also The Nice Guys and Crazy Stupid Love. It’s a side he’s used sparingly during other phases of his career; films like First Man, Drive and Blue Valentine are outstanding, but they’re not exactly laugh riots.
The same goes for Blunt. While she’s fantastic in serious roles – as evidenced by her work in the aforementioned Oppenheimer and the A Quiet Place franchise – she’s got a biting wit and a goofy side that’s really endearing (as evidenced by her breakthrough performance in The Devil Wears Prada and the more recent Mary Poppins Returns).
Seeing them both at the top of their comedic game in what is basically an action-fueled romcom is unexpected, but welcome. The two of them, along with a strong supporting cast including Waddingham, Taylor-Johnson and Winston Duke, elevate a fairly basic screenplay by Drew Pearce. The killer soundtrack doesn’t hurt, either – especially some unexpected needle drops from Kiss and Taylor Swift, as well as a perfectly timed use of the Miami Vice theme.
The real MVP behind the scenes is director David Leitch, a former stuntman who has transitioned into a hugely successful filmmaker with action flicks like Bullet Train, Deadpool 2, Atomic Blonde and Hobbs & Shaw. He employs all the knowledge from his previous career to make this movie a tribute to the people who do some of the most dangerous work in Hollywood, often for the least recognition.
Grade: B+
The Idea of You
(Rated R for some language and sexual content. Available on Prime Video starting May 3.)
On the surface, this romantic drama from director Michael Showalter (based on the popular novel by Robinne Lee) sounds like cringeworthy fanfic. It’s basically “what if a middle-aged mom hooked up with Harry Styles while he was still in One Direction?” Yikes.
In the wrong hands (most hands, really…), this premise could’ve been a creepy disaster. Instead, Showalter – who co-wrote the screenplay with Jennifer Westfeldt – elevates the material into something sweet, tender and surprisingly mature thanks to nuanced performances from Anne Hathaway (who also serves as producer) and rising star Nicholas Galitzine.
Hathaway plays Solène, who just turned 40 and is forced to step in as chaperone when her ex-husband (Reid Scott) bails on taking their teenage daughter (Ella Rubin) and her friends to Coachella. While looking for a bathroom, she mistakenly wanders into the trailer of 24-year-old Hayes Campbell (Galitzine), the lead singer of boy band August Moon, and sparks instantly fly.
She’s hesitant because of their age difference and his superstar status, but he’s drawn to her normal life (this is a movie, so “normal” means “wealthy art gallery owner”) and the fact that she doesn’t fawn over him. Of course, their budding, cautious relationship is immediately put to the test when the world finds out every teen girl’s crush is dating a cougar.
Although The Idea of You runs a bit long (it’s right at two hours) for a love story that hits all the standard beats, the shaggy pacing is necessary to make Solène and Hayes feel like actual people. Giving the characters time to get to know each other and open up is what keeps the premise from feeling too gross.
To the film’s credit, that aspect of their romance is constantly acknowledged. It’s why Solène initially rejects Hayes’ advances and it’s the general consensus of the public when paparazzi reveal their secret.
It’s also what gives the premise depth and complexity. Clearly, their relationship’s challenges are tougher to navigate than the artificial “big misunderstandings” that usually pop up in movies like this.
Hathaway is in her element, playing to the strengths that served her well in films like 2010’s sadly underseen Love & Other Drugs and last year’s misfire She Came to Me. That one had a lot of problems, but she was very good. The charming Galitzine is also solid, continuing to demonstrate quite the range in his brief, yet prolific career. His performance here should help him earn plenty of new fans.
Grade: B
Home Entertainment Spotlight
Madame Web
(Rated PG-13 for violence/action and some language. Now available on 4K, Blu-ray, DVD and VOD.)
One of the year’s most infamous movies is now available to watch at home. Madame Web tells the standalone origin story of one of Marvel publishing’s most enigmatic – and obscure – heroines. Dakota Johnson stars as Cassandra Webb, a paramedic in Manhattan who may have clairvoyant abilities. Forced to confront revelations about her past, she forges a relationship with three young women (Sydney Sweeney, Isabela Merced and Celeste O’Connor) destined for powerful futures – if they can all survive a deadly present. Extras include a gag reel; Easter eggs; four behind-the-scenes featurettes; a deleted scene; and a digital copy of the film.
It only makes sense they’d want to continue that “Barbenheimer” momentum. So, what better way than to team up with a fun, big-budget action extravaganza that utilizes their comedic talents and beautiful faces? That’s precisely what we get with The Fall Guy, which kicks off the summer movie season with plenty of laughs, romance and – most of all – crazy practical stunts.
In this big screen update of the popular 1980s television show, Gosling plays Colt Seavers, a retired stuntman called back into action when the star of an expensive sci-fi flick – directed by his ex, Jody Moreno (Blunt) – goes missing. While the film’s producer (Hannah Waddingham) attempts to hide the disappearance of Tom Ryder (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) from the press, Colt performs the film’s stunts and tries to rekindle the spark with Jody.
I’m glad Gosling is continuing to take full advantage of the sense of humor he demonstrated with not just Barbie, but also The Nice Guys and Crazy Stupid Love. It’s a side he’s used sparingly during other phases of his career; films like First Man, Drive and Blue Valentine are outstanding, but they’re not exactly laugh riots.
The same goes for Blunt. While she’s fantastic in serious roles – as evidenced by her work in the aforementioned Oppenheimer and the A Quiet Place franchise – she’s got a biting wit and a goofy side that’s really endearing (as evidenced by her breakthrough performance in The Devil Wears Prada and the more recent Mary Poppins Returns).
Seeing them both at the top of their comedic game in what is basically an action-fueled romcom is unexpected, but welcome. The two of them, along with a strong supporting cast including Waddingham, Taylor-Johnson and Winston Duke, elevate a fairly basic screenplay by Drew Pearce. The killer soundtrack doesn’t hurt, either – especially some unexpected needle drops from Kiss and Taylor Swift, as well as a perfectly timed use of the Miami Vice theme.
The real MVP behind the scenes is director David Leitch, a former stuntman who has transitioned into a hugely successful filmmaker with action flicks like Bullet Train, Deadpool 2, Atomic Blonde and Hobbs & Shaw. He employs all the knowledge from his previous career to make this movie a tribute to the people who do some of the most dangerous work in Hollywood, often for the least recognition.
Grade: B+
(Rated R for some language and sexual content. Available on Prime Video starting May 3.)
On the surface, this romantic drama from director Michael Showalter (based on the popular novel by Robinne Lee) sounds like cringeworthy fanfic. It’s basically “what if a middle-aged mom hooked up with Harry Styles while he was still in One Direction?” Yikes.
In the wrong hands (most hands, really…), this premise could’ve been a creepy disaster. Instead, Showalter – who co-wrote the screenplay with Jennifer Westfeldt – elevates the material into something sweet, tender and surprisingly mature thanks to nuanced performances from Anne Hathaway (who also serves as producer) and rising star Nicholas Galitzine.
Hathaway plays Solène, who just turned 40 and is forced to step in as chaperone when her ex-husband (Reid Scott) bails on taking their teenage daughter (Ella Rubin) and her friends to Coachella. While looking for a bathroom, she mistakenly wanders into the trailer of 24-year-old Hayes Campbell (Galitzine), the lead singer of boy band August Moon, and sparks instantly fly.
She’s hesitant because of their age difference and his superstar status, but he’s drawn to her normal life (this is a movie, so “normal” means “wealthy art gallery owner”) and the fact that she doesn’t fawn over him. Of course, their budding, cautious relationship is immediately put to the test when the world finds out every teen girl’s crush is dating a cougar.
Although The Idea of You runs a bit long (it’s right at two hours) for a love story that hits all the standard beats, the shaggy pacing is necessary to make Solène and Hayes feel like actual people. Giving the characters time to get to know each other and open up is what keeps the premise from feeling too gross.
To the film’s credit, that aspect of their romance is constantly acknowledged. It’s why Solène initially rejects Hayes’ advances and it’s the general consensus of the public when paparazzi reveal their secret.
It’s also what gives the premise depth and complexity. Clearly, their relationship’s challenges are tougher to navigate than the artificial “big misunderstandings” that usually pop up in movies like this.
Hathaway is in her element, playing to the strengths that served her well in films like 2010’s sadly underseen Love & Other Drugs and last year’s misfire She Came to Me. That one had a lot of problems, but she was very good. The charming Galitzine is also solid, continuing to demonstrate quite the range in his brief, yet prolific career. His performance here should help him earn plenty of new fans.
Grade: B
Home Entertainment Spotlight
(Rated PG-13 for violence/action and some language. Now available on 4K, Blu-ray, DVD and VOD.)
One of the year’s most infamous movies is now available to watch at home. Madame Web tells the standalone origin story of one of Marvel publishing’s most enigmatic – and obscure – heroines. Dakota Johnson stars as Cassandra Webb, a paramedic in Manhattan who may have clairvoyant abilities. Forced to confront revelations about her past, she forges a relationship with three young women (Sydney Sweeney, Isabela Merced and Celeste O’Connor) destined for powerful futures – if they can all survive a deadly present. Extras include a gag reel; Easter eggs; four behind-the-scenes featurettes; a deleted scene; and a digital copy of the film.
Reach out to Josh Sewell at joshsewell81@gmail.com
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