The Bronze Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A washed-up gymnast tries to sabotage a rising star to stay relevant, but ends up learning that maybe, just maybe, helping people is better than stealing mail money… until the rising star ditches her for a hotter coach.

🍿 The Bronze: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Hope’s Lingering Fame

Hope Ann Greggory, a former bronze medalist gymnast, clings to her fading celebrity in her small Ohio town. She exploits her past achievements for freebies and attention, struggling to move beyond her moment of glory. Her life revolves around reliving her Olympic experience and resisting any attempts to forge a new path.

The Inheritance Offer

When Hope’s former coach dies, a bizarre condition is set in place: Hope must train a promising young gymnast, Maggie Townsend, for the Olympics to inherit $500,000. This sets Hope on a reluctant journey, forcing her to confront her own stagnant life and the potential loss of her local celebrity status. She initially sabotages Maggie, but eventually realizes the potential benefits of investing in the younger gymnast.

Confrontations and Relationships

Hope’s path is complicated by her strained relationship with her father, her interactions with the gym manager, Ben, and the reappearance of her rival, Lance. These relationships test Hope’s character and force her to confront her flaws. A particularly outlandish comedic sex scene further complicates her personal life and challenges her relationships.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Hope Ann Greggory (Melissa Rauch): A foul-mouthed and self-absorbed former bronze medalist clinging to her local celebrity status is forced to coach a young gymnast.
• Maggie Townsend (Haley Lu Richardson): A bright and talented young gymnast, she looks up to Hope while striving for Olympic gold.
• Stan Greggory (Gary Cole): Hope’s well-meaning but enabling father, a mailman, struggles to guide his daughter towards a more productive life.
• Ben Lawfort (Thomas Middleditch): The awkward and sweet gym manager with a noticeable tic has a longtime crush on Hope and sees the good in her.
• Lance Tucker (Sebastian Stan): A cocky and successful former Olympic gold medalist and Hope’s rival, he acts as an antagonist and temptation.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Hope: “I’m not a coach, I’m a star!” – Hope shouts this at her dad when he suggests she coach gymnastics, highlighting her inflated ego.
• Lance: “Are you winking at me?” – Lance says this to Ben after he brings him his water.
• Stan: “You’re a spoiled bitch.” – Stan says this to Hope when he admits to falsifying the letter to encourage Hope to get a job.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $3.5M
• Domestic Gross: $615,816
• Worldwide Gross: $615,816

💥 The Bronze Reviews

Personal Review

I went into this movie expecting a typical sports comedy, but it was so much more than that! Melissa Rauch is fearless, and the movie doesn’t shy away from the messy parts of life. I especially loved the scene where Hope finally confronts her dad – it was surprisingly emotional and showed a real depth to her character. The gymnastics sex scene? Completely bonkers but unforgettable!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of dark comedies”
  • “Viewers interested in sports-themed movies with unconventional humor”
  • “Those who appreciate Melissa Rauch’s comedic performance”
  • “Audiences looking for films that explore themes of fading fame and redemption”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong language and profanity”
  • “Sexual content and nudity”
  • “Drug use”
  • “Mature themes”

Professional Reviews

• IndieWire: “Melissa Rauch throws herself into the role of Hope with abandon, and while the film is undeniably crass, it also possesses a surprising amount of heart. The gymnastics-themed sex scene alone is worth the price of admission, a truly bizarre and hilarious moment.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “While Rauch delivers a committed performance, the film struggles to balance its raunchy humor with genuine emotion. The script is uneven, and the supporting characters are often underdeveloped, leaving the film feeling tonally inconsistent.
• Variety: “The Bronze attempts to be a dark comedy about a flawed protagonist, but it often leans too heavily on shock value. Rauch is game for anything, but the film’s humor feels forced and the overall narrative lacks subtlety.

Audience Reactions

Melissa Rauch’s performance is absolutely hilarious and fearless!: Many viewers praised Melissa Rauch’s performance, finding her portrayal of Hope to be both funny and surprisingly nuanced.

The gymnastics-themed sex scene is something you have to see to believe!: The film’s unique and outlandish sex scene was a frequent topic of discussion, with many finding it to be both shocking and hilarious.

The movie has a surprisingly heartfelt story about overcoming obstacles and finding your place.: Despite its raunchy humor, viewers appreciated the film’s underlying message of redemption and self-discovery.

Overall Consensus: The Bronze is a raunchy sports comedy with a surprisingly heartfelt story and a memorable performance by Melissa Rauch, though its humor may not be for everyone.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Melissa Rauch co-wrote the screenplay with her husband, Winston Rauch.”
• “To prepare for her role, Melissa Rauch underwent gymnastics training, though stunt doubles were used for the more complex routines.”
• “The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2015 but faced distribution challenges due to Relativity Media’s bankruptcy, delaying its release.”
• “The movie includes cameos from real-life Olympic gymnasts Dominique Dawes, Olga Korbut, and Dominique Moceanu.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Bronze?

As of [Date], ‘The Bronze’ is available for rent or purchase on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check local listings for potential streaming availability on services like Hulu or Paramount+.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Bronze, you might like these similar films:

• I, Tonya (2017): Both films explore the dark side of competitive sports and feature flawed, complex female protagonists who are often misunderstood.
• Bad Santa (2003): Shares a similar raunchy, dark comedic tone with a protagonist who is abrasive and unconventional but ultimately finds a path to redemption.
• Blades of Glory (2007): A comedy about competitive figure skating, this film offers a humorous take on the world of elite athletes and their often eccentric personalities.
• Little Miss Sunshine (2006): This movie features an unconventional family road trip that deals with themes of competition, dreams, and personal growth.

🛒 The Bronze Related Products

• Women’s Gymnastics Grip Bag: This gymnastics grip bag is perfect for storing grips, wristbands, and other essential accessories. It’s durable and stylish, making it a great gift for any gymnast who is ready to take the mat and compete with confidence.
• GYMNASTICS NOTEBOOK: Sports Journal: Perfect journal, notebook for anyone who loves to follow the sport of gymnastics or a gymnast themselves. Use to jot down personal thoughts, take notes, write down ideas, or anything else you can dream up.
• Women’s Gymnastics T-Shirt: High Quality professionally printed apparel. Soft and cozy tee with a great look. This cool tee is sure to be a hit, whether you’re buying it as a gift for somebody special or wearing it yourself.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Bronze features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Arise, Ye Who Refuse to Be Slaves!” – performed by Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra
• “Work Bitch” – performed by Britney Spears

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Bronze | Official Trailer HD (2016)

Want a sneak peek into the hilariously awkward world of ‘The Bronze’? This trailer perfectly captures the movie’s quirky humor and Melissa Rauch’s killer performance. Honestly, it’s worth a watch just for the cringe-worthy gymnastics scenes!

✨ Rate