Richard Rush's 1980 comedy-drama 'The Stunt Man' remains one of the most distinctive entries in Peter O'Toole's filmography, earning him one of his many Oscar nominations. The film presents a high-concept satire of the movie business, blending black comedy with fierce stabs of seriousness and anguish.
O'Toole plays Eli, an imperious director overseeing a spectacular First World War action drama. He swoops around in a helicopter, issues orders from a camera crane, and cuts corners on safety, all while being over budget and over schedule. When his stunt man drowns during a bridge scene, Eli covers up the incident to avoid manslaughter charges.
His salvation comes in the form of Cameron (Steve Railsback), a troubled Vietnam vet on the run from police who stumbles onto the set and eagerly takes the dead stunt man's identity. Cameron's desperation makes him fearless, and Eli exploits this, knowing Cameron cannot complain. Complications arise when Cameron falls for leading lady Nina (Barbara Hershey), who has unresolved history with Eli.
The film blurs fact and fiction, with chaotic film-making sequences cutting into fictional melodrama. Some moments achieve documentary realism, such as Eli presiding over a boozy dinner with cast and crew. When an assistant director calls 'cut' due to low film stock, Eli erupts with authentic rage.
The story builds to a strange escapade for Cameron and Nina, who feel imprisoned by Eli. Cameron's extended speech about his past and feelings for Nina feels indulgent, but adds to the film's cynical flavour. The rooftop stunts look genuinely dangerous, underscoring the film's anti-war satire and critique of cinema's inability to truly oppose war while making it look exciting.
