Other reviews have likened this to Lost in Translation and that comparison is spot on. It's the more awkward (yes really!), Geekier, low budget version and I'm just fine with that. Using the real Olympic village during the Olympics is a hugely effective backdrop to the disjointed relationship between two people who feel lost at sea in an ocean of human apathy.
The one man camera crew gives access to intimate moments that just aren't possible with a big set up.
Quietly affecting, melancholy but with moments of wonder. This movie deserves a watch. 7/10
17 Reviews
A Personal Twist to a Familiar Story
tributarystu17 February 2020
As far as sports romcoms go, this is an unusual movie, in that it's shot at the Olympic Village during the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang. This very real backdrop is fleshed out in a bunch of scenes with equally real athletes, capturing an unfamiliar flavour.
Starring alongside the established Nick Kroll is the movie's co-writer, Alexi Pappas, former Olympian, just like Gus Kenworthy and Morgan Schild, who also have small roles to play. There's a bit of a Lost in Translation (in sports) feeling to Olympic Dreams, which unfortunately doesn't get the chance to really catch on, as the movie stumbles to its predictable finale. The good thing is Pappas and Kroll are both likable on screen, and Pappas captures a bit of the forlorn solitude of elite athletes and the harsh realities of the Olympic cycle.
Not in enough depth to really make the movie memorable, but sufficiently to put a personal twist to a familiar tale.
Starring alongside the established Nick Kroll is the movie's co-writer, Alexi Pappas, former Olympian, just like Gus Kenworthy and Morgan Schild, who also have small roles to play. There's a bit of a Lost in Translation (in sports) feeling to Olympic Dreams, which unfortunately doesn't get the chance to really catch on, as the movie stumbles to its predictable finale. The good thing is Pappas and Kroll are both likable on screen, and Pappas captures a bit of the forlorn solitude of elite athletes and the harsh realities of the Olympic cycle.
Not in enough depth to really make the movie memorable, but sufficiently to put a personal twist to a familiar tale.
Well done film without a payoff
dweber3416 May 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I thoroughly enjoyed the story until the final scene, which doubled back away from the meaningful empty stadium scene just moments before.
The refusal to let Kroll's character commit to changing his path after hinting at romantic and professional changes the whole film leaves him as just a weenie male version of a sports groupie: drawn to a stellar athlete, but only for a short period. It's almost none thing more than a slight twist on the writers' prior film, Tracktown, where Pappas' athlete character goes to a guy with the intent to lose her virginity, then cuts and runs from him moments later.
I greatly admire Pappas for blending a world class track and field career with acting/directing and look forward to her and her husband's next picture, but this one kinda fell while leading the 5,000 at the top of the stretch.
The refusal to let Kroll's character commit to changing his path after hinting at romantic and professional changes the whole film leaves him as just a weenie male version of a sports groupie: drawn to a stellar athlete, but only for a short period. It's almost none thing more than a slight twist on the writers' prior film, Tracktown, where Pappas' athlete character goes to a guy with the intent to lose her virginity, then cuts and runs from him moments later.
I greatly admire Pappas for blending a world class track and field career with acting/directing and look forward to her and her husband's next picture, but this one kinda fell while leading the 5,000 at the top of the stretch.
A fascinating look into the Olympic Village
Gordon-1125 February 2020
A hidden gem?
Bturiace3 January 2023
Or a rusty nail..it's all relative and relevant and real like this movie.
There were moments I wasn't sure I was watching a movie.
It's not a blockbuster with murder and mystery and mega actors and that's the best part.
It's also not boring, unless you are entertained by the simplistic predictable nature of a..blockbuster with mega actors solving the mystery of a murder or the end of the world..*snooze... I hope to see more from the two leads and from the writer/director of this truly original little film. All the actors were so genuine. Not too trendy and not too cool, but better than those.
The title and premise with the Olympics might sideline your curiosity (and maybe peak it) and you get a but of that too.
Embrace your curiosity and enjoy yourself.
There were moments I wasn't sure I was watching a movie.
It's not a blockbuster with murder and mystery and mega actors and that's the best part.
It's also not boring, unless you are entertained by the simplistic predictable nature of a..blockbuster with mega actors solving the mystery of a murder or the end of the world..*snooze... I hope to see more from the two leads and from the writer/director of this truly original little film. All the actors were so genuine. Not too trendy and not too cool, but better than those.
The title and premise with the Olympics might sideline your curiosity (and maybe peak it) and you get a but of that too.
Embrace your curiosity and enjoy yourself.
A sensitive, romantic drama.
RatedVforVinny9 September 2020
Though this type of movie is not really my cup of tea, I found it strangely appealing and filmed completely inside an Olympic village (which was a bit different). The main story concerns a young Olympian girl (who is the sole competitor from Armenia) and an awkward romance with a much older Olympic dentist. I can understand why some would love it and others not take to it at all. Despite the awful title, I'm really pleased to have seen it.
RomCom without any Rom~!
stevepat9917 February 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I liked this film for the wrong reason. The Olympic village location and scenes of the actual Olympics were spot on. Then, there was an awful screenplay that gives us Ezra, an angst ridden dentist who is taking a forced 'break' from his fiance. He dwells on her via calls, texts etc. until his fiancé affirms 'I miss you' apparently as much as Ezra misses her. All this while he has found someone who speaks English, namely, Penelope. Penelope takes a super shine to Ezra and they spend a fun, long night on the town, schmoozing, boozing, dancing yada, yada. An awesome first romantic date except for the small fact that Ezra does not have a romantic bone in his body. At night's end this is confirmed when Ezra rejects Penelope's kiss. For Ezra it was a night out with a new platonic friend, a means of taking a break from the life he's left behind. As one might expect Penelope was blind-sided by this end of the night revelation. The final scene was ludicrous. Ezra again rejects Penelope, then we think he's reconsidered as he races top speed to catch Penelope before her bus leaves. he catches up with Penelope and does he hug her, kiss her , shower her with romantic albeit end scene romance and./or affection? Nope! Nada. Ezra does nothing more then bid her goodbye. This is the exact opposite of the mood and amazing final scene in Lost in Translation where an even greater age difference gave way to a smoldering undercurrent of romance and a promise for their future back home.
Ezra plays the 'lost soul' as on one hand he pines for his fiancé and the next moment he is seeking a permanent dentist job working in a foreign land for a foreign sport team. Ezra has nonsensical and unprofessional conversations ad nauseam with his patients forcing one young women to listen to the story of his and his fiances rocks love life. Lord knows what he tells his patients back home.
Zero romance, a sad, unsympathetic, deconstructing Ezra and even sadder 'victim' Penelope are some reasons this film is a failed rom/com effort. The actress playing Penelope shines as did the actor playing sad sac Ezra.
Ezra plays the 'lost soul' as on one hand he pines for his fiancé and the next moment he is seeking a permanent dentist job working in a foreign land for a foreign sport team. Ezra has nonsensical and unprofessional conversations ad nauseam with his patients forcing one young women to listen to the story of his and his fiances rocks love life. Lord knows what he tells his patients back home.
Zero romance, a sad, unsympathetic, deconstructing Ezra and even sadder 'victim' Penelope are some reasons this film is a failed rom/com effort. The actress playing Penelope shines as did the actor playing sad sac Ezra.
Not a medalist, but a personal best!
gkarf234 October 2020
Glorified Winter Olympics Advertisement
gazgil26 July 2020
Watching this during covid19 time
ks-6050021 March 2020
Bare with me little off topic, athletes life is short, participating in Olympic shall be all athletes dream. The effort each of them behind I can tell is indescribable, it's a tragedy if Tokyo Olympic is cancelled, even delay for 2 years, some athletes may be not physically fit or in his/her best form to play. Watching this movie makes me even more emotional when seeing athletes step in the award ceremony but this scene may be not seen in this year summer :(. The story itself is ok given the background happening in Olympic village is first time filmed. Just hope Tokyo Olympic will go on as usual.
OOF... hard to watch
ljmcfarland-7912610 October 2020
Skip, you will never get this time back. Nick Kroll fans, don't bother, this is not the one for you. As for the Director? We really did not need those close ups of the female lead...... sooooo hard to watch. Visibly had to look away each time. It is definitely a head scratcher.
Too bad, we were looking forward to seeing a Nick Kroll movie.
Very well done.
khaleellee17 March 2019
This film is as personal as they come. The small cast and crew can be felt in each scene and the warm banter I was left feeling like an estranged friend. I have a special appreciation for the work put in to keep this story authentic. (I see you Jamie!) Overall, a beautiful film.
Dreary Sophia Coppola Ripoff
chas43727 January 2021
I wanted to be the thing I wanted to be
nogodnomasters25 February 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Yes, "I wanted to be the thing I wanted to be" is a quote from the film. The dialogue was unintentionally funny. An American dentist volunteer meets a cross-country skier who wipes out in her first event during the 2018 Olympics. (How is it they fall down and roll around?) Both have serious self-esteem issues. I would not call it a romantic comedy. Maybe a "How not to make a film."
Very very dull
aliensexgod17 February 2020
It could have so easily have been 10 times better but they chose to make BOTH main characters completely mentally and emotional such that the whole movie seems like perpetual coitus interruptus! Just all dumb choices including watching this.
If this movie had not been so highly rated I could have saved a watered 1hr 20 minutes of my life....
If this movie had not been so highly rated I could have saved a watered 1hr 20 minutes of my life....
A delight.
natekamerick11 March 2019
This film was a delight. Touching, moving, raw, funny. The performances felt very real, even from the Olympians who probably had never acted before. The filmmaker was a one man crew and you wouldn't have guessed after watching it. Nick Kroll killed it. I recommend this movie.
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