Boobirt Stylish but barely mediocre overall

Skunkyrate Gripping story with well-crafted characters

Loui Blair It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

Cassandra Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

MartinHafer "Fall Guy" is an odd film. Through much of the film, it's an obvious (and very broad) comedy. However, later in the film, it's much more of a romantic drama--making it very hard to categorize and a bit strange.The film begins on a movie set. One of the stars of the film begins behaving like a jerk, as it's obvious he's very insecure and has an ego the size of Texas. And, during all of Gin-Chan's histrionics and boorish behavior, he has an entourage that constantly tells him that he's wonderful and seem willing to do ANYTHING for him. It's all quite funny and a nice commentary about some movie stars.A bit later, Gin-Chan's old girlfriend, Konatsu, informs him she's pregnant. Not surprisingly, Gin-Chan isn't willing to marry her and orders one of his underlings, Yasu, to marry her. This scene I think was overdone--and telling Yasu to do this while Konatsu is having sex with her seemed much more awkward than funny--though it does establish, once again, that Gin-Chan's friends will do ANYTHING for him. Yasu is still quite willing to marry the lady--partly because he's always been infatuated with her and partly because he thinks so little of himself.To prove his devotion to Konatsu, Yasu takes on all the worst and most dangerous jobs in films--and gets the crap knocked out of him daily. However, one stunt NO ONE will do--even Yasu. But, he has a change of heart and agrees to--figuring that if this stunt kills him, he can leave Konatsu a nice insurance settlement. What's next? See the film.I liked this film but really, really wish they'd either decided to make it a kooky comedy OR a romantic film. But, the characters are so likable that I was willing to overlook this and recommend you try this quirky film. Considering my description above, you probably don't want to watch this with the kids--there are a couple rather explicit scenes and quite a bit of blood.

sarahksmom Re-watching this 10 years after seeing it the first time and 31 years after it was made, with more Japanese under my belt, I don't see a fundamental stylistic difference between the humor in this movie from that of "Battle Royale." There's just a shift in emphasis. Both movies are equally misanthropic and mordantly satirical. I get the feeling that the core of both is a disappointed wish to find something lovable about at least two people and a hope that they connect with each other without screwing things up too badly. There's a lot about the three principal characters-- Ginshirô, Yasu and Konatsu--that is cringe-worthy that, if you don't buy it as satire, will repulse you. I get the feeling that Fukasaku couldn't have cared less about audience discomfort. Of course, if you're a nihilist, it won't make you squirm, at all.

noirfilm A bit player in samurai films does a favor for the hammy star actor by marrying the star's pregnant girlfriend. This movie includes a funny peek at samurai filmmaking. There's a memorable sequence of a filmed samurai battle scene on a staircase and the aftermath.

StSparky FALL GUY (KAMATA KOSHINKYOKU) Directed by Kinji Fukasaku, 1982, 109 minFall Guy depicts the inside story of a film studio in a comical touch, where a nearly has-been movie star takes full advantage of an adoring member of his entourage & hanger on's blind devotion. The former has the hanger on, who works as a bit player, marry the lovely actress he accidentally impregnated, in a bid to preserve his image, and then asks the fan to perform a show-stopping, life-threatening stunt in the hopes of making a big comeback.At times moving, funny, and even romantic, Fall Guy, was well received and has won the first place in the "Ten Best Films" poll by Kinema Jumpo, as well as many other awards.PS The honeymoon trip to Kyushu is a sweet moment of the film and clearly an inside joke.