The Gymnast is one of those WLW movies where experimenting with one’s sexuality and engaging in a same-sex relationship is part of the main character’s journey. It’s not really about the relationship or even the change of sexuality. Instead, those factors act as a sort of metaphor and/or catalyst for character growth. This is not my favourite subgenre of WLW film but like any subgenre, there are good films and bad ones. The Gymnast isn’t really either. It’s a pretty middling movie overall.
The movie follows Jane, an ex-gymnast. Jane’s career ended due to injury and now she lives an unsatisfied life with her husband, David. When a friend invites her to be part of an aerial dance show, Jane meets Serena. She develops an attraction and close relationship with Serena which eventually turns into an affair. Throughout the movie, Jane is catalyzed by aerial dance and the influence of Serena. Jane finally grows as a person from where she has stagnated due to the influence of her unhappy marriage and the ending of her gymnastic dream.
Because Jane’s relationship with Serena is part of a personal growth journey, I found that their relationship got the short end of the stick. Regardless of the motivations behind Jane engaging in this relationship, it was clearly a very important part of her life for the duration. This is why it’s frustrating that when the relationship ends, it’s really just forgotten. When it ends, it feels like we as an audience aren’t really supposed to care. If that’s the case, why did the film focus on this relationship? The third act does a disservice to the relationship the movie built up by throwing it aside so casually to focus on Jane’s character alone.
And poor Serena. Both the movie and Jane herself disregard how interesting this woman is in her own right and just use her as part of Jane’s path to self-actualization. This is not a WLW film where you see two fully realized female leads. This is one with a clear protagonist (Jane) who gets to have depth and stuff and a love interest (Serena) who doesn’t really get to develop as a person past what Jane wants and needs of her.
What helps the movie along is that there are good performances here. The leads actresses do have good chemistry. Maybe it’s too good because apparently we as an audience weren’t supposed to root for them as an endgame couple but I totally did. Plus, I have a soft spot for acrobatics and there’s a fair amount of that in this movie. Most of it even seems to be done by the actresses instead of stunt doubles. It’s very impressive and beautiful to watch.
I think I watched The Gymnast wrong. Desperate as I was for WLW love stories, that’s what I interpreted the movie to be only to be let down by the third act. The Gymnast isn’t a love story; it’s a protagonist’s journey to self actualization or whatever. So if you watch this movie, keep that in mind. Despite how interesting and effervescent Serena is, you shouldn’t care for her as a character. Nor her relationship with Jane. You’re only really supposed to care about Jane. And yes, Jane does complete her journey towards personal growth throughout the movie and is a fine protagonist. It’s still a competent movie and I certainly enjoyed it better than movies like this involving a heterosexual relationship. But overall, I can’t say The Gymnast is any better than fine. It’s just fine. It’s competent and perfectly fine.
To conclude, I guess my final thought on The Gymnast is that it’s fine.
Overall rating: 6.0/10
Other WLW films in similar genres
WLW relationships as a stepping stone to personal growth
It’s been several years since I watched this movie, but I disagree that the relationship ends. My interpretation is that Jane leaves her husband (?) to be with Serena in Vegas. When she does her balance beam routine on the pavement stripes (as part of her roadside sobriety test), it’s a demonstration that she knows who she is, and has confidence in herself and her future. When she smiles as she continues driving, I see it as her eagerly anticipating her reunion with Serena. Your mileage may vary 🙂