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Parents' Guide to

The Simone Biles Story: Courage to Soar

By Jenny Nixon, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 9+

By-the-book yet inspiring biopic of superstar gymnast.

Movie NR 2018 86 minutes
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What's the Story?

THE SIMONE BILES STORY: COURAGE TO SOAR is based on the book of the same name, and chronicles the real-life story of Simone Biles, who is frequently referred to by others in her field as "the greatest gymnast ever." The story begins with her painful early life in foster care -- her birth mom struggled with addiction issues -- and continues to her subsequent adoption by dad Ron (Julius Tennon, How to Get Away with Murder) and mom Nellie (Tisha Campbell, My Wife and Kids). The film follows Simone (played by newcomer Jeanté Godlock) as her jaw-dropping talent for gymnastics is developed with the help of her coach, Aimee (Kathleen Rose Perkins, Fresh Off the Boat), and her family, who help her deal with the many challenges and sacrifices she'll have to face on her journey toward world champion status.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

Though her start in life was rocky, the way Simone's family embraces and nurtures her is heartwarming to watch and will have you rooting for her from start to finish. Though she was considered by many to be a "natural-born gymnast" from an early age, The Simone Biles Story: Courage to Soar shows that even innate talent isn't enough to take you all the way -- it requires great interior strength and perseverance, as well as a solid support system. Watching her develop as an athlete is exciting, with a coach who is affectionate but also knows how to challenge her. The film is also full of life lessons like the one handed down by her mom Nellie, who reminds her that despite her undeniable gifts, she's no more or less important than her sister. Nellie tells her: "We are not your fans, we are your family."

The soundtrack can be overbearing and cheesy at times -- lots of musical cues letting you know exactly how to feel -- but this is to be expected, considering the film genre. Training montages, emotional setbacks, and joy-filled triumphs are all par for the course in a biopic like this, but it's a positivity-filled ride all the same.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the hard choices athletes like Simone have to make when pursuing their goals. She gave up normal teenage experiences like attending high school and hanging out with her friends so that she could train for the Olympics, and at times expressed very conflicted feelings about this. Are these types of sacrifices worth it? Is there a sport or hobby you enjoy enough to forgo these types of experiences?

  • What aspects of the competitive professional gymnastics world are not covered in The Simone Biles Story: Courage to Soar?

  • How does Biles show perseverance? What other character strengths does she display?

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