"Golden Arm" disarms with Holland and Sodaro's unfakable chemistry

Golden Arm (2021)

For those who need convincing, “Golden Arm” settles the debate that arm wrestling counts as a real sport — and that the 1987 Sylvester Stallone arm-wrestling movie “Over the Top” can be improved upon. As an underdog sports movie and a comedy about female friendship, it is structurally formulaic but endearing with a strong heart of gold. At the center of a story about badass chicks competing in bouts using their arms are two disarming lead performances by Mary Holland (2020’s “Happiest Season”) and voice actor Betsy Sodaro, who each have their own distinct energies but always feel grounded and reined in by director Maureen Bharoocha. The script by screenwriters Ann Marie Allison and Jenna Milly almost could have afforded to be a bit shaggier than it is, but its sweet, funny goodwill cannot be denied.

Betsy Sodaro (who had the pleasure of Lady and the Tramping with Shaquille O’Neal in 2020’s “Hubie Halloween”) is a rowdy comedic force playing brash, coarse trucker Danny who moonlights as a professional arm-wrestler. When breaking her hand in a match against hard-assed Brenda the Bone-Crusher (Olivia Stambouliah), she has to sit out the upcoming National Women’s Championships in Oklahoma City. Realizing she needs a ringer to take her place, Danny makes one out of her estranged best friend, Melanie (Mary Holland), a soft, timid Kansas bakery owner who’s about to finalize her divorce. Encouraged to “‘Eat Pray Love’ the shit out of her life” by Danny, Melanie goes along on the road trip, particularly when there’s a $15,000 prize if she can actually win. But it’s not until Danny enlists the help of retired champ Big Sexy (Dot-Marie Jones) to train Melanie that Melanie, herself, realizes she has a “golden arm.” Channelling all of her frustrations, Melanie might just have the intimidation factor and self-esteem to go all the way. 

Mel is our entry point into this unfamiliar world of women’s competitive arm wrestling, and it helps that she is played by the delightful Mary Holland. A lovable scene-stealer in “Happiest Season” (which she also co-wrote), Holland is a treasure with her lovably sunny disposition. The chemistry Holland shares with Sodaro cannot be faked; it comes through that they have been real-life friends for years, from their sing-along to “These Dreams” by Heart in Danny’s truck to their throwaway impressions of Robert De Niro’s squint. Both Mel and Danny are well-drawn enough to feel like real people who evolve rather than just complete-opposite types. Eugene Cordero is also a charmer as Greg, a Championships referee whom Mel meets cute without being fully clothed; they have adorable chemistry together and their bond over “The Natural” is an unexpected detail. Holland also has a mini “Greener Grass” reunion, sharing scenes with both Dawn Luebbe and Dot-Marie Jones.

“Golden Arm” proves that predictability can just be comfortable rather than frustrating. A training montage is to be expected, but it’s all done within ten minutes and amusing enough when watching Mel visualize one of her bakery’s regulars, an insincerely perky yogi (Lauren Knutti) who always takes a single bite from a free scone before throwing away Mel’s meticulously baked creation in the trash. When Mel and Danny must have their inevitable falling-out (if only temporarily), there is a clunky bit with ADR involving two older women in a train station to remind Mel of her friendship. All in all, it is Mary Holland and Betsy Sodario’s chemistry that wins and wins one over every time. Watch these ladies shine and then hear them roar. The rousing, lightly profane, "labes-out" spirit behind “Golden Arm” is so infectious that it will be no surprise if this becomes an unassuming crowd-pleaser.

Grade: B

Utopia Distribution is releasing “Golden Arm” (91 min.) in theaters and on digital on April 30, 2021.