STICK IT

STICK IT is an engaging sports drama with a believable teenage heroine and a strong healing relationship between Haley and Coach Vickerman. It understands adolescent angst, especially when divorce and behavioral problems leave a young person angry at authority. The film also promotes hard work, honesty, integrity, teamwork, forgiveness, discipline, and self-sacrifice.

Those messages are sometimes spoiled by the movie's repeated emphasis on rebellion. The parents are largely selfish and uninvolved, and the crude language undercuts the film's moral strengths. Still, the story gives teenagers meaningful material to discuss about growing up, accepting support, and becoming more honest.

If you are choosing for a teenager or adult, STICK IT is worth seeing with discernment and discussion.

Haley is a talented young gymnast caught in the middle of a painful divorce. After delinquent behavior and a biking incident bring her into contact with juvenile authorities, her father sends her to a rigid gymnastics academy.

There, Haley meets a demanding coach, fellow gymnasts, and the pressures of competitive gymnastics. She must decide whether her talent can help her grow up—or simply give her another way to fight authority.

Three stars means STICK IT is a good, engaging film with meaningful flaws. It moves quickly and easily holds most viewers' interest. Jessica Bendinger accurately depicts adolescent angst and the effects of trauma, divorce, and inadequate behavior.

Missy Peregrym gives a masterful, believable, and engaging performance as Haley. Jeff Bridges also does a strong job portraying a coach struggling with his own demons. Their relationship becomes the film's healing center as they help one another become better, more honest, and more genuine people.

The movie's treatment of gymnastics is also compelling, showing the sport's danger, difficulty, and subjective judging. Its message leans too heavily toward rebellion, however, and the lack of a positive parent weakens the story.

STICK IT presents a strong theistic and moral worldview with some redemptive elements. It promotes hard work, honesty, integrity, teamwork, forgiveness, discipline, and self-sacrifice. Haley and Coach Vickerman each help the other grow, while a consistent judge encourages Haley to rise above her circumstances. Haley's two friends also stand beside her and encourage her to become the best she can be.

The film's moral vision is complicated by its treatment of rebellion. Its message can seem to be: rebel first, then change if necessary. In the gymnastics world, people are often more concerned with personal progress than with truth, and some are willing to lie, frighten, or manipulate others to win. The film rebukes lying and manipulation, but it also depicts parents pushing children toward their own goals while neglecting the children's needs.

Romantic and emotional feelings are shown as especially influential in decision-making at the beginning. The film also contains pagan worldview elements connected to the gymnastics competition, where human progress and achievement can become ultimate concerns.

The film's central longing is for healing, honesty, and growth rather than continued rebellion. Scripture gives this direction: “Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ” (Ephesians 4:15).

STICK IT is fast, motivating, and morally meaningful, with strong performances and an honest understanding of adolescent pain. Its rebellion and crude language require discernment, but teenagers and adults can find worthwhile discussion here. Our answer is WORTH THE TRIP — TEENS AND ADULTS.