falling in love movie reviews

Falling in Love

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Robert De Niro (Frank Raftis) Meryl Streep (Molly Gilmore) Harvey Keitel (Ed Lasky) Jane Kaczmarek (Ann Raftis) George Martin (John Trainer) David Clennon (Brian Gilmore) Dianne Wiest (Isabelle) Victor Argo (Victor Rawlins) Wiley Earl (Mike Raftis) Jesse Bradford (Joe Raftis)

Ulu Grosbard

Although they live married lives, two strangers keep running into each other, starting a friendship that could blossom into so much more.

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Falling in Love Reviews

55 Metascore
1 hr 47 mins
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Two married people begin an illicit affair after meeting while shopping.

The eagerly awaited reunion of De Niro and Streep, whose tender relationship in THE DEER HUNTER (1978) proved to be one of the highlights of that superb film, was a heartbreaking disappointment. FALLING IN LOVE is a distinctly passionless film in which deep emotions are only hinted at and all character development takes place off-screen. De Niro is a successful architect, married and the father of two children, who commutes from Westchester County to Manhattan every day on the same train as Streep, a free-lance graphic artist, also married, who makes regular visits to her ailing father in Manhattan. An accidental meeting sparks the attraction between them. Intended as a bittersweet, forbidden romance in the tradition of BRIEF ENCOUNTER, FALLING IN LOVE presents two dull, unappealing, unsympathetic people and tries to arouse our sympathy for their dilemma. De Niro and Streep are great actors, but at times their distinctive mannerisms overpower any naturalness in their characterizations. The basic flaw in FALLING IN LOVE, however, is that no one in the film--including the lovers--seems to be in love.

MPAA Rating

Produced by, released by, falling in love (1984), directed by ulu grosbard.

AllMovie Rating 5
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Synopsis by Hal Erickson

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Falling in Love

Time out says, release details.

Duration: 106 mins

Cast and crew

Director: Ulu Grosbard
Screenwriter: Michael Cristofer
Robert De Niro
Meryl Streep
Harvey Keitel
Jane Kaczmarek
George Martin
David Clennon

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Where to watch

Falling in love.

1984 Directed by Ulu Grosbard

Sometimes magic is the only thing that's real.

During shopping for Christmas, Frank and Molly run into each other. This fleeting short moment will start to change their lives, when they recognize each other months later in the train home and have a good time together. Although both are married and Frank has two little kids, they meet more and more often, their friendship becoming the most precious thing in their lives.

Robert De Niro Meryl Streep Harvey Keitel Jane Kaczmarek George Martin David Clennon Dianne Wiest Victor Argo Wiley Earl Jesse Bradford Frances Conroy Paul Herman Kenneth Welsh Clem Caserta Chevi Colton James Ryan

Director Director

Ulu Grosbard

Producers Producers

Robert F. Colesberry Marvin Worth

Writer Writer

Michael Cristofer

Casting Casting

Juliet Taylor Patricia McCorkle

Editor Editor

Michael Kahn

Cinematography Cinematography

Peter Suschitzky

Production Design Production Design

Santo Loquasto

Art Direction Art Direction

Speed Hopkins

Set Decoration Set Decoration

Steven J. Jordan

Composer Composer

Dave Grusin

Sound Sound

Frank E. Warner Gary Alexander Robert Knudson Robert Glass Gary S. Gerlich Les Fresholtz Bill Wylie

Costume Design Costume Design

Richard Bruno

Makeup Makeup

J. Roy Helland Mickey Scott

Hairstyling Hairstyling

Lyndell Quiyou

Releases by Date

18 oct 2009, 21 nov 1984, 15 feb 1985, 21 feb 1985, 01 mar 1985, 14 mar 1985, 18 mar 1985, 21 mar 1985, 27 mar 1985, 28 mar 1985, 03 apr 1985, 04 apr 1985, 05 apr 1985, 03 may 1985, 10 may 1985, 05 sep 1985, 01 jan 1987, 21 mar 1987, 01 sep 1985, 03 jun 2002, 10 jun 2002, 24 sep 2006, releases by country.

Physical DVD
Theatrical U
Theatrical 12 West Germany
Premiere Rome Film Festival

Netherlands

Theatrical AL
Theatrical M/12

South Korea

Theatrical 12

Switzerland

Theatrical PG
Physical PG
Theatrical PG-13

102 mins More at IMDb TMDb Report this page

Popular reviews

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This review may contain spoilers. I can handle the truth.

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Movie Reviews

Tv/streaming, collections, great movies, chaz's journal, contributors, falling inn love.

Now streaming on:

It goes without saying that “Falling Inn Love” is a cliched romantic comedy—that’s all a part of the packaging. The film is out on Netflix today but was produced in part by MarVista Entertainment, a company behind romantic flicks like “Rodeo & Juliet,” “A Christmas Movie Christmas,” and “Will You Merry Me.” They’re a Netflix-like entity unto themselves who push that sweet adrenaline of tension found within romantic tales, where if you like the people on-screen, you’ll sit through them being pushed together and pulled apart and brought back together. This movie, capably directed by Roger Kumble and written by Hilary Galanoy and Elizabeth Hackett , is even slapped with a title that tells you where this amorous adventure’s going to take place, and that its cheesiness is name-brand. "Falling Inn Love" may look and sound like a lot of other movies, but you could never confuse it for being dishonest.

Things don’t start off with much promise, though, as the story has little tact in forcing its set-up for what becomes the story of a city woman flung into the country. After her hiring company implodes and after breaking up with her wet blanket boyfriend Dean, Gabriela ( Christina Milian ) gets toasted on some white wine and enters a contest that offers the chance to “win an inn” in New Zealand. As someone who is passionate about environmentally-friendly homes, she writes in the required 400 word essay about how it would be her dream place, even though she mostly intends to flip it and go back to San Francisco. The next morning, she’s won the inn, and minutes later, she’s in New Zealand, because travel works like that in romantic comedies, c'est la vie.

The first local she meets is Resident Hot Guy Jake ( Adam Demos ), who crashes his truck into Gabriela's luggage as it rolls down a hill, while she scampers to get a bar of cell phone reception. We soon find out that he’s a volunteer firefighter, handyman, and also a beekeeper. He's perfect, but has a recent loss in his life that the makes him mysterious and unavailable, at least until someone like drops into his tranquil yet gossipy New Zealand town of Beachwood Downs.

After brushing off Jake's offer to drive her into town, Gabriela saunters up to the inn that she’s won, and it’s a mess. The light bulbs explode when she tries to replace them, the piping has a mind of its own, there’s a goat named Gilbert hiding in a closet upstairs. Like this movie’s structure, all it needs is a little TLC and tact, and it just might be able to dazzle. But Gabriela can’t do it on her own, and her rehabilitation project receives some support from spunky locals like a hardware store guy named Norman, and a gardener (Claire Chitham), who has her own unaddressed problems with relationships.

Gabriela is at first resistant to get help from Jake in order to assert her independence, dismissing him any time he appears when she’s in town meeting the other locals. But as tension goes, that's not sturdy enough a reason for her to deny the attraction we know she feels. Add to the many rotten, predictable comedy sequences—being surprised by Gilbert, three times!—and things start to feel pretty dire.

But “Falling Inn Love” starts to brighten up once it allows the chemistry to work as Milian and Demos present opposites attracting and working together, partnering up on the inn. The dynamic starts to come from their values: she’s a modern type who wants to fix up the house with solar panels, he wants to preserve the old stuff, like a fireplace that’s been there since the beginning. With her playful nature and his serious gaze, they become an unlikely duo to truly root for. And yet, when Gilbert the Surprising Goat breaks one of their elongates stares before a kiss, it’s not a cheat, but right on schedule. Plus, we haven't even seen Demos shirtless at that point.

The wholesomeness even works to its advantage too, building its tension to the promise of an appropriately TV-PG kiss, and killing that high by then complicating things with a jealous bed & breakfast owner, along with Gabriela and Jake’s stubbornness to fix things with one heart-to-heart. "Falling Inn Love" blissfully denies its characters the single conversation they could have to smooth things over, and it becomes fun enough to see them amble towards the film's finish line of a make-out session before the camera flies up into the sky.

This is an impressively mechanical distraction that owns its cliches, for the most part. It even finds a way to put a brief reference of Jake being a volunteer firefighter to dramatic use, though there aren’t any scenes of him acting as sexy beekeeper. But as "Falling Inn Love" builds from the familiar, it shows the vitality of the form: The bad kinds of rom-coms feel automated, and perish right into their self-made plot holes instead of gliding over them with a wink. The good ones supplant a lack of surprise and reality with charisma, based on buoyant chemistry from the two objects of our affection. “Falling Inn Love” is one of those better, shinier kinds.

Nick Allen is the former Senior Editor at RogerEbert.com and a member of the Chicago Film Critics Association.

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Film credits.

Falling Inn Love (2019)

Christina Milian as Gabriela

Adam Demos as Jake Taylor

Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman as Dean

Daniel Watterson as Chad

Lucy Wigmore as Olive Flyger

Roger Kumble
Hilary Galanoy
Elizabeth Hackett

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Falling Inn Love

Where to watch.

Watch Falling Inn Love with a subscription on Netflix.

What to Know

Warm and welcoming, Falling Inn Love doesn't reinvent the wheel, but it will give those looking for a cozy new romantic comedy a nice place to lay their heads.

Audience Reviews

Cast & crew.

Roger Kumble

Christina Milian

Jake Taylor

Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman

Anna Jullienne

Claire Chitham

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Falling in Love (1984)

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‘Falling Inn Love’ Review: A Prize That Needs Some Work

It’s hard to find a reliable, talented, reasonably priced, eco-friendly contractor these days.

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By Helen T. Verongos

Rom-coms are like mashed potatoes. We look to them on occasion for comfort and predictability, and are pleasantly surprised when they offer originality as well.

When a movie has a title like “Falling Inn Love,” our expectations skew fairly low from the outset. But, hey, there are films that keep you glued to the screen, and there are those you’re content to watch while sorting socks. You can guess which kind this one is.

Directed by Roger Kumble and streaming on Netflix , “Falling Inn Love,” is wrapped around the romantic notion of inn-keeping, a perk (or predicament) that Gabriela Diaz ( Christina Milian ) wins in an online contest. That she is a hard-core Californian impedes her only briefly because, having just lost her job and boyfriend, she faces just one obstacle: closing the distance between San Francisco and that inn, Bellbird Valley Farm, which is in New Zealand. (At this point the movie feels vaguely reminiscent of the CW series “ Hart of Dixie ,” about a transplanted urbanite struggling with a new culture.)

“Falling Inn Love” serves as an excellent travel ad that, if anything, doesn’t show us enough of the lush territory and windswept beaches of New Zealand. But the beauty stops at the rickety inn, which comes with a ghost (somewhat of an exaggeration); a goat (Gilbert, a highlight); and a well-built contractor, Jake ( Adam Demos ), ultimately the partner in Gabriela’s quest to revive the charm of the creaky old building and equip it with Earth-friendly technology. She initially swats him away (picky, picky).

From there, the movie becomes a cavalcade of tired gags — less com than rom.

Our disbelief has to be suspended almost to the snapping point as the small-town residents here befriend Gabriela immediately, without trepidation (or motivation or subtext, or ups and downs — niceties that are generally missing from the film). There is one instance of halfhearted subterfuge that provides a tiny zigzag needed to keep the plot moving to its inevitable conclusion.

What we hope for in a romance is that final feel-good aura that arises when a perfect match clicks into place and everyone is struck starry-eyed with optimism. “Falling Inn Love” keeps its promise warmly, but without the least pretense of sophistication.

Falling Inn Love

Not rated. Running time: 1 hour 38 minutes.

Helen T. Verongos is a senior staff editor on the Culture Desk. She is a former assistant editor of international news and a former deputy editor of the Continuous News Desk. More about Helen T. Verongos

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DVD & Streaming

Falling Inn Love

Comedy , Romance

Content Caution

In Theaters

August 29, 2019
Christina Milian as Gabriela; Adam Demos as Jake; Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman as Dean; Anna Jullienne as Charlotte; Claire Chitham as Shelley; Jonathan Martin as Peter; William Walker as Norman; Daniel Watterson as Chad

Home Release Date

Roger Kumble

Distributor

Movie review.

Gabriela Diaz is a successful executive from San Francisco. She’s got the cutest boyfriend, the perfect job, and promising potential in her field as an architect and designer.

But then life happens.

In the span of a few short days, Gabriela’s company is shut down, and she feels forced to break up with her boyfriend who just can’t seem to commit. Frustrated and at a loss about what comes next in her life, Gabriella is ready to call it quits. Until, that is, she randomly wins a seemingly idyllic inn in New Zealand named the Bellbird Valley Farm.

But the internet isn’t always the most reliable source. And when Gabriela arrives in Lands Down, New Zealand, she quickly realizes that her dream inn is really a huge fixer-upper. What should have been an easy job turns into months of hard work.

Is all that work really worth it? Gabriela wonders. Or should she just head back home to the rat race she was secretly thankful to get away from.

Of course, these kinds of decisions are rarely that cut and dried. Especially when life happens … again.

Positive Elements

When Gabriela moves to New Zealand, she really believes she’s able to do life on her own. She soon learns that life is about community. Strangers become friends as locals gather around and offer to help her whenever necessary. Her friends take care of her when she’s sick, help her restore her Inn and are always hospitable.

And then there’s one special friend in particular: Jake. And it turns out Gabriela and Jake both have lessons to teach each other. Jake teaches Gabriela that it’s OK to admit when you need help; he also helps her learn to enjoy life and to love what’s right in front of you. Gabriela, for her part, teaches Jake to try new things and to fight for what he wants.

Elsewhere in the story, Gabriela also mends a few feuds and befriends an unlikely woman.

Spiritual Elements

Gabriela jokes that a barista is “psychic” when he anticipates her order. She thinks her inn is haunted and causally talks about the difference between luck and superstition. Jake thinks that “the universe has its own plans.” There’s a reference to the universe lining up a perfect moment, which is equated to fate. An indigenous group of children perform a dance. A friend of Gabriela’s back home promises to “light a candle in meditation class” for her when she leaves for New Zealand.

Sexual Content

We see Gabriela in a sports bra and yoga pants, a bikini and wearing short shorts. Jake’s shown in a swimming suit.

Gabriela’s former boyfriend makes it clear that they were, at one point, dating while he was filing for divorce. A guy jokingly says “you just called my mother a prostitute.” Gabriela and Jake sing along to a popular song about intimate dancing. Gabriela accidentally falls on top of Jake, and the two nearly kiss. Couples kiss, flirt and hold hands.

We hear and see references to a same-sex couple.

Violent Content

Jake tells Gabriella that his girlfriend died three years ago. Jake tells Gabriella a story about his deceased grandmother who killed and stuffed a possum out of revenge.

Gabriela and Jake find love letters in which a man writes to his beloved while serving on the front lines during World War I. Jake and a group of local firefighters put out a large house fire and save a man trapped inside.

Crude or Profane Language

God’s name is misused once. “H—,” “jerk” and “crap” are each uttered once. We also hear the phrases “You suck!” and “What the dumpster?!” once each. Jake and Gabriela sing the word “d–n” in a song.

Drug and Alcohol Content

Men and women alike drink wine and beer. A man falls asleep with a cigarette in his mouth.

Other Negative Elements

Gabriela works in a male-dominated environment. Because of this, male coworkers often disregard her ideas and belittle her effort. Gabriela’s boyfriend is controlling and not willing to commit to her, even after two years of being in a relationship with her. As a result, she breaks up with him.

Charlotte, who owns another inn, doesn’t want Gabriela to stay in business. Instead, she offers to buy the inn from Gabriela to eliminate competition. When Gabriela refuses, Charlotte causes trouble and forces Gabriela into an uncomfortable situation.

One of Gabriela’s female friends says she had to give her boyfriend an ultimatum before he would propose. Later, she hints that they’re both in counseling and she’s “channeling her inner rage.”

A woman accidentally spits tea in a customer’s face when Gabriela runs over her prized roses. Jake and Gabriela are both stubborn. Gabriela makes a rude joke about mansplaining.

Is Falling Inn Love cheesy? You bet. Did it feel just like a Hallmark movie? Yup. Sure, some may hate these formulaic romances. But Netflix has recognized Hallmark’s enormous popularly in this area and essentially copied and pasted that formula with a growing number of original movies like this one.

Predictable, sweet and filled with so many plot holes you’re forced to laugh, Falling Inn Love is unapologetically formulaic in every way. There’s a love story, positive messages about community, and lessons learned about the importance of dependency and vulnerability.

There’s also some talk about the universe and fate, some light language and drinking, and a few elements of sexuality you’ll want to note before you decide if this new Netflix original will have you falling in love.

Kristin Smith

Kristin Smith joined the Plugged In team in 2017. Formerly a Spanish and English teacher, Kristin loves reading literature and eating authentic Mexican tacos. She and her husband, Eddy, love raising their children Judah and Selah. Kristin also has a deep affection for coffee, music, her dog (Cali) and cat (Aslan).

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‘THE ART OF FALLING IN LOVE’: A SURPRISINGLY EMOTIONAL DRAMA

Part of the independent films released under the Harlequin banner, this film is way more poignant that I’d expect. But fortunately, it’s also pretty cute, too.

The Art of Falling in Love (2019) TV Film Review

Travelling from place to place is the only way for Vanessa (Kimberly Sue Murray) to be sure she has no place to call home. She travels with a kind of daredevil attitude inspired by her list of dreams. She moves from place to place to paint murals, only this time, life starts to get fuller. After a chance encounter with the architect Nate (Josh Dean), on the hospital project of her latest mural, she’s caught off guard.

Nate is kind and good, and he makes her laugh in spite of herself. She however has no plans to stay put, especially as she doesn’t live by having a future and Nate, is trying to heal from a heartbreaking divorce. Tentatively they begin to form a friendship, but they may find their pasts lead their possible future.

TV FILM REVIEW | ‘HEARTS DOWN UNDER’: ENJOY A VISIT TO BEAUTIFUL AUSTRALIA

Like so many other films, this is one I delayed watching. As to the reason why, I don’t know. While I’m kind of sad I did wait this long to see this, it’s worth that wait. The Art of Falling In Love is a charming romance with a more conscious backstory for its main characters. The one glaring flaw it has is in Vanessa’s attitude regarding a choice Nate makes later. It’s really completely unfair of her considering the secrets she chooses to keep.

Beyond this, the film is GOOD. It keeps us on an edge because of the way it starts before finishing in a way that will make anyone smile. The plot is charming and I love the color Vanessa’s artistic personality adds. Kimberley is also really good in the role and I like the sweet chemistry that forms between the characters. Additionally, another plus is the timeframe! They say that several weeks pass which can really mean whatever you want, but as someone who wants a romance to have time, I interpret this as more than a month.

There’s so much joy and fun about this film. It’s the kind that makes you smile silly throughout, oh and there’s an adorable rabbit, too!

PINTEREST PIN – SAVE & SHARE

‘THE ART OF FALLING IN LOVE’: A SURPRISINGLY EMOTIONAL DRAMA. REVIEW OF A HARLEQUIN ADAPTATION W JOSH DEAN & KIMBERLEY-SUE MURRAY. © RISSI JC

Content: This one is PG, and aside from some adult themes (like illness and death), there’s nothing worth a mention.

Photos: Brain Power Studios / Up Faith and Family

About Rissi JC

amateur graphic designer. confirmed bookaholic. bubbl’r enthusiast. critical thinker. miswesterner. social media coordinator. writer.

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'Falling in Love in Niagara' Review: Jocelyn Hudon and Dan Jeannotte's chemistry strikes a chord of romance in Hallmark movie

Contains spoilers for 'Falling in Love in Niagara' on Hallmark

NIAGARA FALLS, NEW YORK: 'Falling in Love in Niagara' has officially dropped on Hallmark, showcasing the romantic journey of a couple amidst the stunning backdrop of Niagara Falls.

With a cast featuring Jocelyn Hudon, Dan Jeannotte, Masa Lizdek, Bert Cardozo, Tomas Chovanec, and Chris Violette, 'Falling in Love in Niagara' promises to deliver a heartfelt and engaging story.

If you were expecting solid romance and loads of , you might have to think again, because 'Falling in Love in Niagara' goes way beyond that. The film also features great moments of friendship and comedy, even if it is a bit predictable.

Romantic hearts can't resist being swept away by this beautiful love story.

Jocelyn Hudon and Dan Jeannotte's chemistry in 'Falling in Love in Niagara' ignites the screen

The chemistry between Jocelyn Hudon and Dan Jeannotte is so captivating in the film that it's sure to steal the hearts of romance lovers everywhere.

In 'Falling in Love in Niagara', Jocelyn takes on the role of Madeline, while Dan plays Mike. Their portrayal of love is so genuine and heartfelt, it's impossible not to be swept away by their romance.

Jocelyn and Dan's chemistry is the kind that makes you believe in true love all over again. Madeline and Mike fall in love unexpectedly after Madeline's fiancé leaves her before their wedding.

Their chemistry delivers continuous wit and allure to the story, but it's Dan's acting that truly makes this romantic movie memorable. Dan's charisma radiates throughout the film, instantly making him both appealing and approachable.

Mike is portrayed as living in sadness after her ex leaves her. Dan embodies his character with such authenticity that it's impossible not to feel empathy for Mike's situation.

When Mike falls in love with Madeline, viewers can feel his love radiating through the screen. The film beautifully captures the magic of falling in love, with picturesque Niagara providing a stunning backdrop for their romance.

If you're a fan of romantic movies , you know that the main characters usually end up together, and that's exactly the case in this Hallmark movie.

While the outcome may be predictable, it's the journey and the chemistry between the characters that make the film so enjoyable to watch.

'Falling in Love in Niagara' elevates romance with stunning cinematography

One of the standout aspects of 'Falling in Love in Niagara' is its stunning cinematography, which beautifully captures the beauty of Niagara Falls.

The film's visuals are breathtaking, showcasing the majestic power and natural beauty of the falls. Each shot is meticulously crafted, highlighting the sheer grandeur of the location.

Whether it's the rush of the water cascading over the falls or the misty haze that envelops the area, the cinematography truly brings the setting to life in 'Falling in Love in Niagara'.

The filmmakers have expertly used light, color, and framing to create a visual experience that transports viewers to Niagara Falls.

When Madeline and Mike share a kiss in front of Niagara Falls in 'Falling in Love in Niagara', it's a moment of pure magic. It's a scene that perfectly encapsulates the film's message of love and destiny, leaving viewers with a warm and fuzzy feeling.

If you're a fan of romantic movies , you absolutely must see 'Falling in Love in Niagara'. The movie is a delightful romantic escape that will leave you with a smile on your face and a warm feeling in your heart.

'Falling in Love in Niagara' is now streaming on Hallmark

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'Falling in Love in Niagara' Review: Jocelyn Hudon and Dan Jeannotte's chemistry strikes a chord of romance in Hallmark movie

The Fall Guy starring Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt is an entertaining ride through the world of action movies

Ryan Gosling in aviator sunglasses and a sleeveless vest leans an arm against a doorframe

The double-edged sword of being a stunt double — the extreme visibility of the death-defying manoeuvres they perform to audiences of millions, the dearth of acknowledgement and the invisibility of their labour — is mined to perfection in The Fall Guy.

A reimagining of the 1981 TV series directed by David Leitch (John Wick, Deadpool 2) — himself a seasoned stunt performer — The Fall Guy is an ode to films and the unsung heroes who make it all happen.

Colt Seavers (Ryan Gosling) is the stunt double of mega celebrity actor Tom Ryder (Aaron Taylor-Johnson); he's the beating heart of Tom's blockbuster movies, the best in the business. He's also in a casual situationship with cute camerawoman Jody Moreno (Emily Blunt), united by their shared love language of car doughnuts, and as happy as anyone can be in a job where you're routinely catapulted off great heights, burned and pummelled.

A man with sandy-coloured hair and a beard faces a woman wearing a large straw hat on a film set

That is, until a freak accident leaves Colt with a broken back, a broken heart and a broken sense of self.

Working listlessly as a valet for a Mexican restaurant, Colt is jolted out of his depressive stupor when pugnacious producer Gail Meyer (Hannah Waddingham) calls him out of the blue with an enticing proposition.

Jody is directing her debut feature — a comically naff futuristic sci-fi romance called Metalstorm — with Tom in the lead role, and apparently wants her thwarted lover to be the stunt double.

The plot thickens further when Tom disappears, and Colt is sent on a wild goose chase to hunt him down for the sake of Jody's movie. If he discovers Tom, maybe he'll have another chance with Jody.

If this sounds needlessly convoluted, it is. But The Fall Guy is nonetheless an entertaining romp through the shadowy world of drugs, murder and thugs — set in our very own Sydney, with the Opera House and Harbour Bridge the picturesque backdrop to many a scene.

An aerial shot of a man being dragged behind a truck, sparks flying

There are high-octane chase sequences, big explosions, implausible helicopter leaps and a French attack dog with one trick (spoiler: it's not kind to men).

Appearances by Stephanie Hsu (Everything Everywhere All At Once) as Tom's downtrodden assistant and Winston Duke (Black Panther) as Metalstorm's stunt coordinator ups the star power of an already star-studded line-up.

The humour in The Fall Guy is both clever and slapstick. Gosling has previously proven his versatility as a comedic actor in Barbie and The Nice Guys, and it's gratifying to see one of the biggest film stars of our time play an underdog.

He delivers offhand, pithy one-liners with his trademark crooked smile and affable charm, expertly balancing machismo with the vulnerability of being the perennial punching bag. Blunt's Jody is his perfect counterpart with her endearing dorkiness, resourcefulness (that saves Colt from many a pickle) and straight-faced comic delivery.

Emily Blunt winding an arm up to punch someone in a movie costume

Playing into the structure of a film within a film and taking place predominantly on a set, there's a heightened appreciation for the art of filmmaking in The Fall Guy.

It's a mosaic of film references: the characters speak to each other in metaphors and similes that recall Memento, Notting Hill, The Fugitive and The Last of the Mohicans.

There are meta references to the framework that governs films, like when someone asks Jody if her Metalstorm characters should reference the trouble she's having in nailing the third act (in many ways reminiscent of The Fall Guy's sagging final act).

Ryan Gosling pressed up against a wall looking scared, a woman is holding a sword to his throat

Complementing the action-packed scenes is the film's upbeat soundtrack, a nostalgia-fest for anyone born before 1995.

It's fitting that the unofficial theme song is KISS's I Was Made For Lovin' You, but less expected is the inspired choice to set one of the chase scenes against Phil Collins' power ballad Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now), a truly rousing choice that resuscitated my love for this 80s banger. The Darkness, Bon Jovi and Taylor Swift feature, too.

With much of his currency located in his uncanny likeness to Tom, Colt transcends his forever status as the "fall guy" to exact justice and seek retribution, while Jody's trajectory from camerawoman to director places her at the forefront of dictating her creative vision, instead of enacting someone else's.

The Fall Guy is foremost an action-comedy flick, yes, but it's also a love story between two people becoming the main characters in their own stories.

The Fall Guy is in cinemas now.

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Falling in Love in Niagara

After her fiancé leaves her before their wedding, Madeline goes to Niagara Falls to honeymoon without him. There, she reconnects with her adventurous side, learns to let go, and finds new lo... Read all After her fiancé leaves her before their wedding, Madeline goes to Niagara Falls to honeymoon without him. There, she reconnects with her adventurous side, learns to let go, and finds new love. After her fiancé leaves her before their wedding, Madeline goes to Niagara Falls to honeymoon without him. There, she reconnects with her adventurous side, learns to let go, and finds new love.

Marita Grabiak
Carley Smale
Jocelyn Hudon
Dan Jeannotte
Masa Lizdek
16 User reviews
2 Critic reviews

Dan Jeannotte in Falling in Love in Niagara (2024)

(as Jinesea Lewis)

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Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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Did you know

Trivia All the scenes in Niagara Falls take place on the Canadian as opposed to American side of the border.
Goofs While preparing to go on the activities on the tour, Hayley is adjusting the settings on her camera. The lens cap is clearly still on and therefore she wouldn't be able to make any proper adjustments.