The Bronze

A once-promising gymnast (Melissa Rauch), whose career stalled 12 years ago after a bronze medal and a career-ending injury, is now a foul-mouthed has-been lording it over her doting father (Gary Cole) and other citizens of her small Ohio town. Her local status is threatened when she is forced to coach a new kid (Haley Lu Richardson) who just might win the gold. The script by Melissa Rauch and Winston Rauch is profane, raunchy and dirty-funny, not for kids nor easily offended adults. But it’s also sweet and warm (under its surface crust), and the actress, aided by first-time director Bryan Buckley, manages against all odds to make this horrid person human—even likeable. J.L.