“Stick It” (Buena Vista Pictures)
A Look At Girls’ Gymnastics
Jessica Bendinger was the creative force behind the Cheerleading film “Bring It On.” Now she is the driving force behind “Stick It,” a film about the world of girls’ gymnastics. Both films are full of energy and enthusiasm but this time out the story and message are muddled. You get an overall solid story line but the details are missing, at least in the background of the characters and the motivations of the coaches.
Missy Peregrym plays Haley Graham, a seventeen-year-old girl who was once a contender for gymnastic glory. She walked away while at her peak and became a troubled youth. Now she has run afoul of the law and a strict judge (Polly Holliday) has sentenced her to attend a gymnastics school. The coach there is Burt Vickerman (Jeff Bridges) who knows all about Haley’s past.
The film concerns Haley’s efforts to get back her gymnastic skills and to make peace with the other girls who don’t appreciate her past acts against gymnastics. One of her teammates who really resents her is Joanne Charis (Vanessa Lengies). She takes cheap shots at Haley every chance she gets.
The main enjoyment of the movie comes from watching the gymnastic routines and from the banter between the girls. Peregrym is a little tall for a gymnast but she has the physical coordination and the fresh-faced look needed for the role. The cameraperson did a fine job of making it appear she is doing all the gymnastic feats when she is not.
Bridges is fine as the tough but tender coach. His face has that lived in look and his body actions reflect his comfort in just being there. He doesn’t do anything complex as Burt but rather just makes the coach a person who can keep the girls sane and sound.
The film is rated PG-13 for profanity which is a shame because the group that would enjoy it most are pre-teen girls.
“Stick It” is a movie that entertains but does not completely satisfy its audience. It has a good leading actress in Peregrym but she never gets the chance to really paint a full picture of Haley. The same is true of the supporting players, from the other gymnasts to the mothers of the girls. You get a glimpse here and a glimpse there but never an overall picture.
“Bring It On” was a fun filled romp about the lives of high school cheerleaders. “Stick It” is a fragmented entertainment piece about the world of gymnastics. Too bad it couldn’t have been as complete as Bendinger’s first directorial effort.
I scored “Stick It” an unglued 5 out of 10.
