You are here:

Raising the Bar

Raising the Bar

Representation Score

4.1/10

Fair

2017

Not Rated

Director

Clay Glen

Runtime

93 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Raising the Bar is a conventional character study that emphasizes personal resilience over social complexity. While the film highlights a strong female protagonist through Kelly's journey, it operates within a traditional framework. The narrative lacks depth in representing diverse identities and focuses on a standard redemption arc. It adheres to established sports-drama clichés that prioritize individual growth over systemic critique or broader cultural nuances.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does Raising the Bar have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film follows a typical coming-of-age storyline focused on athletic competition. There are no visible LGBTQ+ romantic subplots or non-binary gender identities in the narrative.

How does Raising the Bar portray gender?

Fair

Kelly is a strong female protagonist who regains her independence by leaving an elite program. She demonstrates significant influence over the story, but the narrative remains within conventional sports-drama clichés.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Raising the Bar?

Fair

Set in Australia, the film has the potential to showcase multiculturalism. However, the story centers on local personal rivalries and leans towards a more uniform representation.

How does Raising the Bar represent religion and culture?

Fair

Themes of redemption and personal accountability emphasize traditional social values and moral frameworks. The plot highlights individual responsibility and discipline rather than challenging Western institutional norms.

Does Raising the Bar include disability representation?

Minimal

The film does not include characters with visible or invisible disabilities. The plot remains focused on the physical demands of competitive gymnastics.

Present on Screen

  • Features a central female protagonist with significant influence and autonomy.
  • Explores themes of personal growth, discipline, and redemption.

Limited or Absent

  • Lacks representation of diverse identities and multi-layered complexity.
  • Depends on traditional, homogeneous narrative structures and clichés.

Official Synopsis

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.

How are these scores produced? →

Where to Watch

Rate this Movie

No rating selected
Use arrow keys to select a rating from 1 to 5 stars
Optional text review, maximum 2000 characters
Tip: Wrap spoilers with ||double pipes|| to hide them
0/2000 characters
You must be signed in to submit a rating

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts on this movie!

Use the rating form above to leave a star rating and optional review.