You may know Melissa Rauch as the squeaky-voiced Bernadette from "The Big Bang Theory," but that won't prepare you for the ferociously funny performance she gives in the tartly raunchy comedy "The Bronze."
Rauch, who co-wrote the script with her husband, Winston Rauch, plays Hope Ann Greggory, a bronze-medal winner in the 2004 world gymnastics championships. But that was a decade ago, and she's still living with her mailman father (Gary Cole), sponging off local businesses based on her short-lived glory.
When her old coach dies suddenly, Hope is offered a chance to coach up-and-coming gymnast Maggie Thompson (Haley Lu Richardson) and must decide whether to take Maggie to the top or sabotage her chances so Hope will remain the town hero. She also wrestles with another choice, a romantic one between her gold-medalist ex, Lance (Sebastian Stan), and nerdy gym operator Ben (Thomas Middleditch).
Director Bryan Buckley plays up the script's f-bombs and bad behavior (including a hilariously acrobatic sex scene between gymnasts), but the big revelation is Rauch, a firecracker of a performer who can squeeze every last laugh out of a joke.
movies@sltrib.com; www.sltrib.com/entertainment
HHH
'The Bronze'
Opening Friday, March 18, at area theaters; rated R for strong sexual content, graphic nudity, language throughout and some drug use; 108 minutes.