
Going for Gold
2018

2017
Not RatedDirector
Clay Glen
Runtime
93 minutes
Average Rating
No ratings yetSynopsis
16-year-old Kelly quits an elite gymnastics program and moves to Australia. To help out a new friend and show up an old rival she re-enters competitive gymnastics, she'll have to find a way to move forward while making amends with her past.
Overall Score
Fair
Category Breakdown
LGBTQ+ Representation
The film follows a traditional coming-of-age trajectory centered on athletic rivalry. There are no visible queer romantic subplots or non-cisnormative gender identities present in the narrative.
Gender Representation
Kelly serves as a strong female protagonist who reclaims her autonomy by leaving an elite program. While she demonstrates significant agency, the story stays within conventional sports-drama tropes.
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
The Australian setting offers potential for multiculturalism, yet the story focuses heavily on localized personal rivalries. The narrative appears to lean toward a more homogeneous representation.
Religious & Cultural Diversity
Themes of redemption and making amends reinforce standard social values and moral frameworks. The plot emphasizes individual responsibility and discipline rather than challenging Western institutional norms.
Disability Representation
The film does not feature characters with visible or invisible disabilities. The plot remains strictly focused on the physical requirements of competitive gymnastics.
Strengths
Areas for Improvement
AI Analysis
Raising the Bar is a conventional character study that prioritizes personal resilience over social complexity. While the film provides a platform for female agency through Kelly's journey, it operates within a very traditional framework. The narrative lacks intersectional depth, focusing instead on a standard redemption arc. It adheres to established family-drama tropes that favor individual growth over systemic critique or diverse social perspectives. Ultimately, the film functions as a straightforward sports drama. It succeeds in portraying personal perseverance but misses opportunities to engage with broader cultural or identity-based nuances.

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