With names like Melissa Rauch, Mark and Jay Duplass (Executive Producers), Gary Cole, Thomas Middleditch, Sebastian Stan, Cecily Strong, and Haley Lu Richardson all attached to one project, what’s not to love? Well, that’s the case with The Bronze. Rauch (The Big Bang Theory) takes on the role of former gymnastics Bronze Medalist Hope Ann Greggory. Her character has been living off celebrity status in her hometown of Amherst, Ohio, however, it has amounted to a life of depression, stealing, anger, and entitlement. She is “America’s Sweetheart” no more.
Greggory still lives in her father’s basement surrounded by the days of yesteryear. Her trophies, video tapes of old performances, and American flags remain strewn across her room just as they did in her glory days. In fact, every day she still dons the warm-up suit issued to her during her time spent on the Olympic squad. At first, the character comes off quite harsh, swearing up a storm and rejecting all forms of authority including her father, played by Gary Cole (Office Space). But as the film goes on, Rauch’s commitment has you truly believing that her character’s approach to everyday life could reach that level of absurdity and intensity without being too “over the top.”
To make matters worse for Greggory, another up-and-coming gymnastics prospect by the name of Maggie Townsend is making her presence known in Amherst, threatening Greggory’s status. Townsend is the new Olympic hopeful and also a massive fan of Greggory’s, much to Hope’s displeasure. When former coach Pavleck, now Townsend’s, suddenly commits suicide, a letter arrives stating that if Hope takes over her coaching duties through the Olympics, she’ll be rewarded with $500,000. This sets up a beautiful scenario of sabotage to not only get the money, but ruin Maggie’s career thus keeping Hope’s intact. Weed milkshakes, overindulging in terrible foods, and introducing sex into Maggie’s life sends her down a quick path to failure.
The supporting cast that surrounds Rauch are simply fantastic. A former Gold Medal gymnast who took Greggory’s virginity is played by Sebastian Stan (Captain America: Civil War), Thomas Middleditch (Silicon Valley) plays “Twitchy”, who’s had a crush on Hope since childhood and also a compulsive blinking habit, and Haley Lu Richardson (Ravenswood) takes on the role of Maggie, the over enthusiastic threat who has lived what seems a sheltered and almost religious life. Rounding out the cast is Saturday Night Live‘s Cecily Strong, who plays Maggie’s mother and a janitor.
What makes The Bronze so great is that it blurs the lines between comedy and drama walking a dark path of living in one’s past and how we hold on to those “great” moments that come and go in our lives. Cameos are abound as well in The Bronze, perfect for the real life gymnastics enthusiasts. 1996 U.S. Olympic Gold medal winners Dominique Dawes and Dominique Moceanu, as well as former Russian Gold medalist Olga Korbut make appearances giving the film that authentic touch by merging fiction and reality.
The Bronze is absolutely hilarious and very well written which is a testament to Rauch’s overall talent. She not only stars and produces, but co-wrote the film with real life husband Winston Rauch. Just in time for Olympic fever, this film is a must. It provides one of, if not thee funniest sex scene in a comedy. And don’t be surprised when you see this year’s Halloween parties overrun with the likes of the characters from the film. You can pick up a copy of The Bronze right here.
