Golden Arm
Arm-wrestling comedy mixes raunchy humor, sweetness.
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Golden Arm
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Golden Arm is a comedy about a woman who tries to get her mild-mannered best friend ready for an arm-wrestling competition. Raunchy content makes it best for older teens and up. Language is especially strong, with constant use of just about every four-letter word ("f--k," "s--t," "t-ts," "p---y," and more). There's also some violence, though much of it is played for humor. Characters get into bar fights, with head-butts and punching, and are injured during arm-wrestling matches (broken wrist, some blood, etc.). Characters flirt and kiss, and sex is strongly implied (a couple is caught in bed together). There's also some fairly graphic sex-related talk, and a scene takes place in a strip club (no nudity). Characters drink frequently in bars (shots, beers), and one gets comically drunk. Codeine and morphine are referenced. The movie tries to be outrageous and ends up only mildly amusing, but it has a definite sweetness and a strong pro-woman vibe.
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What's the Story?
In GOLDEN ARM, Melanie (Mary Holland) runs a struggling bakery for unappreciative customers. Meanwhile, her best friend, tough trucker/competitive arm wrestler Danny (Betsy Sodaro), injures her hand in a bout with the cheating Brenda (Olivia Stambouliah). When Melanie's oven breaks down again, Danny invites her on a road trip, with the hidden intention of entering Melanie in the Women's Arm Wrestling Championship -- hopefully to win the big cash prize. They meet Danny's pal Big Sexy (Dot-Marie Jones) for some training, and then it's off to the competition. A romance with a referee, Greg (Eugene Cordero), complicates matters, but Melanie finds she does have a natural gift -- a "golden arm" -- for the sport. Either way, she must still face the menacing Brenda.
Is It Any Good?
This arm-wrestling comedy isn't as funny as it hopes to be, but the crude humor never goes too far, and the lovable, cheerful characters and positive vibe make it a mild amusement. As Golden Arm begins, it can feel a little off-putting: Danny's character comes on strong, and the whole arm-wrestling world seems both absurd and terrifying. But gentle Melanie provides a doorway into the world, and it's not long before it all starts to seem rather interesting -- and even empowering.
Better still, as the movie finds its groove, it even manages to elicit a couple of chuckles here and there. Truthfully, Golden Arm is a tad formulaic -- the wild and crazy best friend tries to break the timid friend out of her shell, "training" montages, etc. -- but it never feels locked down by that formula. Melanie gets to explore her dark side, and Danny has wants and needs of her own outside Melanie's happiness. The movie is so sunny in spirit that the supposed "outrageous" behavior starts to feel merely silly and even comfortable, like an old, ratty bathrobe.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Golden Arm's violence. What's the difference between Danny's love of bar fights and the cries of pain during the arm-wrestling bouts? Does media violence have a different impact when it's presented as funny or within a comic context?
How is body image dealt with here? Do you think the film offers body-positive representations?
Does the movie's sex-related dialogue feel exploitative, or empowering? Why?
Is drinking glamorized? Are there consequences? Why does that matter?
Which characters do you consider to be role models? Why?
Movie Details
- In theaters: April 30, 2021
- On DVD or streaming: April 30, 2021
- Cast: Mary Holland, Betsy Sodaro, Eugene Cordero
- Director: Maureen Bharoocha
- Studio: Utopia Films
- Genre: Comedy
- Topics: Sports and Martial Arts
- Run time: 91 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: February 1, 2023
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