Sebastian Stanis quietly carving out a unique filmography for himself,mixing in some of the largest blockbusters of all time with beautiful, quaint arty films. Appearances in theMarvel Cinematic Universehave come alongside more independent films likeA Different ManandThe Apprenticefrom 2024, the latter of which earned him his first Oscar nomination. Stan’s work outside of playing Bucky Barnes isso varied and impressive that he could eventeach his fellow MCU actorsa thing or two about diversifying their oeuvre.
Exploring his work outside of the MCU brings us toone of the quirkier entries into his filmography. In 2015, Stan starred alongsideMelissa RauchinThe Bronze,a dark comedy written by Rauch and her husband,Winston Beigel, about a foul-mouthed former gymnast who is tasked with training the local town’s next Olympic hopeful. Stan plays Lance Tucker,an Olympic medal-winning gymnast who now trains the U.S. Olympic women’s gymnastic team.The Bronzeis a good sports comedy, but Stan is far and away the best part of the film, playing the cocky gymnast perfectly and bringing a braggadocio that elevates the film to another level.
What is ‘The Bronze’ About?
The Bronzebegins as Hope Ann Gregory (Rauch)struggles to balance her fame as an Olympic gymnast with her unemployment. She steals letters from her father’s (Gary Cole) mail truck to support herself. She soon learns that her old coach has committed suicide and, in their will, left a provision that she would earn $500,000 if she coaches her town’s next big hope, Maggie Townsend (Haley Lu Richardson), to qualify for the Olympics. Hope tries to sabotage Maggie by spiking her drinks, forcing her to perform so poorly that Lance Tucker (Stan), team trainer, tries to have her fired. Hope rights herself and continues to coach Maggie as she strikes up a romance with Ben Lawfort (Thomas Middleditch), an assistant coach.
The Bronze, in fairness to itself, does many things right. Melissa Rauch’s performance as a lazy and entitled gymnast is strong and funny, well anchoring the film.The dark, raunchy humor of the film pushes it outside the boxofthe typical sports comedy, leaning heavily into its status as an R-rated comedy. We have a bitter, entitled protagonist, one not usually seen in the inspiring sports films that we associate with being in films. There is still an element of that redemption, underdog story that we love to see, but what setsThe Bronzeapart is how it mostly subverts that trope.
Sebastian Stan Has Rarely Been Better Than as a Cocky Ex-Gymnast
But Sebastian Stan is the film’s most redeeming quality, his performance oozing with comedic class and timing.Stan leans into being an arrogant, hyper-competitive jerk, making it hilarious in the process.He’s over-the-top without being cartoonish, and he clearly knows exactly what kind of movie he’s in. He’ssointo himself, it’s mesmerizing. His sex scene with Rauch, one of the most outrageous and athletic sex scenes in cinema history, is the film’s stand-out moment, riotously funny and borderline shocking.The scene is so funny because of how committed Stan and Rauch are physically to the bit, nailing the scene’s athleticism and making it all the funnier.
The Bronzemay not have seen the return at the box office, the adoration of critics, or recognition from the awards ceremonies that its director, Academy Award-nomineeBryan Buckley, might have hoped for. But that in no way, shape, or form means that it is not a good film. The performances are all tight and sharp, particularly Stan and Rauch,showing off comedic chops that audiences deserve to see more of. Sebastian Stan has been in better films, he has been in bigger films, he has evenbeen in funnier sports films. But hehas rarely been better or funnier than when he was an arrogant, selfish, highly athletic former gymnast inThe Bronze.
The Bronze
