“How’d they do that?”
That has been one of the defining questions of the movie-going experience for over 100 years and, more often than not, the answer boils down to two words: stunt performers.
Whether it’s the acrobatics of Buster Keaton and Harold Lloyd, the chariot race of “Ben-Hur,” the kinetic fight sequences of Jackie Chan or Michelle Yeoh, or the speeding pursuit of the War Boys in “Mad Max: Fury Road,” stunt work is at the core of the moments that make movies the movies.
But when action sequences fly by in the blink of an eye, it can be easy to take this work for granted. For every punch, explosion, and chase we see on screen, we don’t see the months of prep that go into them—never mind the years of professional experience and practice that allow stunt performers to operate at such a high level.
“The Fall Guy,” director David Leitch’s comedic ode to stunt work starring Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt, which opens at The Triplex this weekend, is an opportunity to give these performers the recognition they deserve. Because while we regularly celebrate actors like Tom Cruise for doing their own stunts, we don’t know the names of the men and women who spend their careers putting their lives on the line for our enjoyment.
And there is already an effort to raise their profile: A grassroots campaign to create an Academy Award for Best Stunt Performance. The SAG Awards and Emmys already have similar categories, and it would go a long way if the Academy recognized these performers for the skilled artists they are.
Because without their work, there would be way less “wow” in the movies.
Now Playing
“Challengers”
A sexy sports drama with Zendaya, Josh O’Connor, and Mike Faist.
From Luca Guadagnino, director of “Call Me By Your Name,” comes a sexy, intense drama about what it means to win. Zendaya stars as a tennis-player-turned-coach who becomes romantically involved with two tennis players (Josh O’Connor and Mike Faist) and manipulates their relationships to produce results—both on and off the court.
“Civil War”
A provocative dystopian thriller from Alex Garland.
From writer/director Alex Garland (“Ex Machina,” “Annihilation”) comes a dystopian tribute to the courage of journalists. Starring Kirsten Dunst, Wagner Moura, and Cailee Spaeny as war correspondents traveling through a near-future America on the brink of all-out war, “Civil War” is an action-packed thriller that was made for our political present.
Coming Soon
“Shayda”
Australia’s official entry for Best International Film at this year’s Oscars, “Shayda” follows its titular character, an Iranian woman living in Australia, and her young daughter Mona as they find refuge in a woman’s shelter. As Shayda strives to create a sense of normalcy for Mona, their new life is threatened when Shayda’s ex-husband reappears.
“Shayda” plays as part of our Limited Engagement Series, from May 10 through 16. Jenn Goewey, director of programs for the Elizabeth Freeman Center, joins us for a talkback following the 7 p.m. showing on May 16.
“The Beast”
A visually stunning romantic sci-fi epic from director Bertrand Bonello, “The Beast” pulls inspiration from everything from Henry James to Michel Gondry’s “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.”
In a near future ruled by artificial intelligence, Gabrielle (Léa Seydoux, “Spectre,” “Dune: Part Two”) decides to rid herself of strong feelings through a process that has her relive past lives. But things go awry as she continually reunites with lost love Louis (George McKay, “1917”), and a mysterious catastrophe begins to emerge. Can Gabrielle and Louis finally find a way to connect, or is history doomed to repeat itself?
“The Beast” plays as part of our Limited Engagement Series from May 10 through 16.
