Sometimes, a movie with all the right ingredients still misses the mark. Such was the case with The Bronze, a 2016 comedy written by and starring Melissa Rauch, best known as Bernadette from The Big Bang Theory. Released during the height of her sitcom fame, the film seemed poised for success. With a promising premise, a star-studded cast, and a Sundance Film Festival debut, expectations were high. However, the movie struggled to connect with critics and audiences alike, becoming a box office flop.
A Promising Premise
The Bronze tells the story of Hope Ann Greggory (Rauch), a former gymnastics star whose third-place finish on a ruptured Achilles tendon once made her a national hero. Years later, Hope is stuck in her small Ohio hometown, living in her father’s basement and clinging to her faded celebrity status. Her stagnant life takes a turn when she’s tasked with coaching Maggie (Haley Lu Richardson), the town’s newest gymnastics prodigy, in exchange for a sizable inheritance.
Directed by Bryan Buckley, The Bronze boasted an impressive cast, including Sebastian Stan (Captain America: The Winter Soldier), Gary Cole (Office Space), Thomas Middleditch (Silicon Valley), and Cecily Strong (Saturday Night Live). Premiering at the Sundance Film Festival in 2015, the film generated enough buzz for Sony Pictures Classics to acquire the distribution rights.
With its unique premise, well-known actors, and a Sundance debut, the film seemed to have all the makings of a comedy hit. So what went wrong?
What Went Wrong with The Bronze?
One of the major issues was critical reception. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a dismal 37% approval rating, with audiences only slightly more forgiving at 44%. Such lukewarm reviews are hard to overcome, especially for a comedy reliant on audience goodwill.
The timing of the film’s release compounded its challenges. Debuting in March 2016, The Bronze faced stiff competition. Disney’s Zootopia was dominating the box office during its record-breaking run, while holdovers like Deadpool, The Revenant, and 10 Cloverfield Lane were still drawing crowds. New releases such as Allegiant and Miracles from Heaven further saturated the market. Amid such heavy hitters, The Bronze struggled to find its footing.
The numbers tell the story. Opening in 1,167 theaters, the movie earned just $386,328 in its first weekend, averaging a dismal $331 per screen. It ranked 25th at the box office, far from the top-tier competition. By the end of its theatrical run, the film had grossed a mere $615,816, failing to recoup its modest $3.5 million budget in cinemas.
A Second Chance on Streaming
Though The Bronze flopped in theaters, its journey didn’t end there. The film found a second life on streaming platforms like Hulu and video-on-demand (VOD), giving it a chance to reach a broader audience over time. Whether this helped Sony recover its initial investment remains unclear, but for some niche comedies, streaming can provide the redemption that theaters cannot.
The Legacy of The Bronze
Despite its underwhelming performance, The Bronze stands as a creative endeavor for Melissa Rauch, showcasing her range beyond her iconic role in The Big Bang Theory. While the film didn’t resonate as expected, its unique premise and committed performances remain a testament to the risks involved in filmmaking.
Sometimes, even the best ideas fail to stick the landing. For The Bronze, it was a combination of tough competition, lukewarm reviews, and a crowded release schedule. Yet, its second life on streaming platforms ensures that the story of Hope Ann Greggory—and Rauch’s bold leap into screenwriting—continues to find new viewers.
