The Gymnast

Fourty-three is ancient for a gymnast, and Jane Hawkins, whose fall off the balance beam blew her Olympic Gold, believes she's a “withered husk.” Caught in a failing marriage, with the heartache of never having a baby, Jane does what she can to keep her body in shape-her physique is athletically awe-inspiring. But she is dead inside…until she begins to train as an aerialist a la Cirque du Soleil, and meets Serena, a gorgeous, enigmatic Korean dancer. Writer/director Ned Farr has created an unusual narrative whose themes symbolically play themselves out in the sensuous folds of fabric the aerialists work with. A love story, a coming-out tale, a mid-life crisis, and a portrayal of personal redemption, THE GYMNAST is all the more intriguing because lead actress Dreya Weber (LOVELY AND AMAZING) does all her own aerial work and choreography. The script is spare, and also spares us any trite drama of confronting the parents or ending a marriage. The aerial scenes, full of sexy positions amid feats of strength, beautifully portray the film's emotions. –A.S.