Common Sense Media Review
By S. Jhoanna Robledo
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Raunchy comedy treads fine line between funny and mean.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Bronze
What's the Story?
Since winning an Olympic bronze medal in gymnastics in 2004 despite sustaining an injury, Hope Annabelle Greggory (Melissa Rauch) has been the pride of Amherst, Ohio. She was basically raised for the Olympics since she was a young girl; after her mother died, her mail carrier father, Stan (Gary Cole), supported Hope throughout her journey from starter gymnastics classes to glory at the podium in Rome. Consequently, she's accustomed to being admired, coddled, and indulged -- to the point that, years after her Olympic feat, she refuses to hold down a job and still tries to live off her time in the sun. Part of it is that her injury never quite healed, so she couldn't fully move on. But when Hope's ex-coach dies, leaving her with a letter asking her to help up-and-coming gymnast Maggie (Haley Lu Richardson) -- and promising $500,000 by the time Maggie reaches the Toronto Olympics -- Hope sees a chance to be rich again and perhaps get what's coming to her. But can she let someone else be more successful than she was?
Is It Any Good?
There's a fine line between mean-spiritedness and bold, envelope-pushing humor, and THE BRONZE struggles to find the right balance. Though the subject matter is refreshingly zany and unique -- and at times is very funny -- some of the laughs come across as such cheap shots (making fun of someone's tic? Come on now!) that they detract from an otherwise spirited film. Still, there's something subversively satisfying about seeing the Olympic ideal that we're all used to (i.e. wholesome, cereal-box-ready athletes) get deconstructed by Rauch, whose Hope takes self-entitledness to the Nth degree. It all comes together late in the movie; too bad it's so hard to shake off the cringe-worthy first act.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how The Bronze mines comedy out of terrible personal behavior. Does it work? Do you think everyone would find it funny? Why do you think different people laugh at different things?
What does the movie have to say about the pursuit of success and perfection? What role do parenting and the pursuit of athletic excellence play here?
How are drinking and drug use portrayed? Are there realistic consequences? Why does that matter?
How do the characters view sex and relationships? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values on these topics.
Movie Details
- In theaters : March 18, 2016
- On DVD or streaming : August 2, 2016
- Cast : Gary Cole , Melissa Rauch , Thomas Middleditch , Haley Lu Richardson
- Director : Bryan Buckley
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Sony Pictures Classics
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Sports ( Cheerleading , Gymnastics , Olympics , Tennis ) , Competition , Family Stories ( Dads ) , Friendship
- Run time : 108 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : strong sexual content, graphic nudity, language throughout and some drug use
- Last updated : September 8, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate