The Bronze (2016)

Directed by Bryan Buckley. Starring Melissa Rauch, Gary Cole, Haley Lu Richardson, Sebastian Stan, Thomas Middleditch, Cecily Strong, Michael Shamus Wiles, Dale Raoul, Christine Abrahamsen. [R]

Rauch is a spoiled, misanthropic gymnastics bronze medalist coasting on celebrity status in her hometown who agrees to coach local rising star Richardson on the promise of a major payout; needless to say, she’s not the most inspirational or dedicated of teachers. A potentially funny one-off comedy sketch or short film that’s been dragged out to feature length. Manages a few acerbically funny moments, but it’s the sort of movie that thinks that foul-mouthed dialogue is funny in and of itself, and the protagonist isn’t remotely sympathetic enough for the turn toward redemption in the final act. Turns out that the body part getting in the way of medal glory wasn’t those taped-down breasts…it was that unseemly “heart.” Rauch also co-wrote the script with her husband, Winston. Debuted at Sundance in 2015, but then its release was delayed until the following year.

42/100