I've watched Stick It more times than I can count. It was actually the first PG-13 movie my little preteen self watched. And, as a gymnast at the time, I was mesmerised; then I proceeded to replay scenes from the film in my head and on screen throughout the next near-decade I spent in the sport. While the movie does briefly allude to darker issues — problematic coaches and toxic body image [1] — the comedy brings to light some of the best parts about gymnastics: the sheer strength you garner physically and mentally, the support of fellow teammates with a healthy dose of competition, and the freedom to fly [2].
I loved Haley Graham (Missy Peregrym) and all she stood for when defying the cookie-cutter confines of what a "perfect" gymnast [3] needs to be. She stayed true to her values despite a complicated family life and past, though there's plenty of self-growth that takes place. And she was, undeniably, a badass. There are so many great scenes — handstands at the mall, Haley's rockstar floor performance at Nationals [4], any time Nastia Liukin [5] shows up, and Joanne (Vanessa Lengies) finally holding her own against her mom (Julie Warner). But, in honour of Stick It's 15th anniversary, I narrowed down five of my favourite moments from the fantastic film. Keep reading to see them all.
Number 5: Haley's Tearful Beam Routine
At an invitational competition, Haley is overwhelmed by emotion during her beam routine. She falls and gets through the rest of her routine (a watered down version) amid tears — as Frank (Kellan Lutz [7]) says, "You tanked like a rock star." Prior to her performance, she finds out that her dad (Jon Gries) is presumably paying off Burt Vickerman (Jeff Bridges [8]) to let her go to VGA. To top it all off, her mom (Gia Carides) selfishly asks her to return to training with Chris DeFrank (John Kapelos), Haley's former coach who essentially split her family up when he had an affair with her mom.
It is a defining moment in the movie where we see Haley's past come flooding back and challenge her dedication to the sport. It's when we find out why she really quit gymnastics in the first place and walked out on the World Championships two years prior. Seeing stoic and headstrong Haley with tear-stained cheeks has always stuck with me as a reminder that you never really know what people are going through. Watch that routine here [9].
Number 4: Haley's "Butt-ahara"
When Haley firsts arrives at VGA, she joins the vault rotation with the other elite gymnasts and performs her classic "butt-ahara." "You mean a Tsukahara?" Mina (Maddy Curley) asks, to which Haley replies, "No. I mean a 'butt-ahara'" and proceeds to do some extremely weird stretches before running (if you can even call it that) down the vault runway like a bird with floppy wings. She then jumps on the springboard and sits on the vault. It's hilarious, and the drumroll in the background makes it even better. It's the perfect example of Haley no-f*cks attitude. Watch it play out here [10].
Number 3: Joanne Strutting Down the Vault Runway
At National Championships, after the judges absurdly penalize Mina for having her bra strap showing [11], the gymnasts protest by opting out of their routines (called "scratching") and picking which athlete they actually want to win the individual event finals. Haley starts the trend, but Joanne's "vault" is such a highlight of the film. She struts and shimmies down the runway before pulling her bra straps out at the end. It's her own form a protest against the impossible system of perfection and the strict rules she's complied with for years in the sport of gymnastics. Watch that clip (without music) here [12].
Number 2: Joanne's Snide Comebacks
Joanne is the antagonist at first but quickly turns into a girl we root for. This slide is dedicated to a compilation of moments where she gives hilarious comebacks or witty comments that I — and other Stick It fans, I'm sure — have memorized. Here are some of the best ones:
- "It's not called gym-nice-tics."
- "Dogs are people too, Haley."
- "I have a constitutional right to bear arms." (While flexing.)
- "Mina, put down the phone! [13]"
- "Think about your weenus!"
- "She should get at least two tenths deducted for that hair."
Number 1: Wei Wei's Iconic Hip-Hop Beam Routine
My absolute favourite routine from Nationals, and, in my opinion, the best scene from the film, is Wei Wei's (Nikki SooHoo) beam routine. The gymnasts — except for Tricia (Tarah Paige) — all scratch so that Wei Wei can medal on the event. She wows everyone by showcasing a hip-hop routine with head spins and awesome dance moves (even the worm!) set to Come Baby Come by K7. It's so not what elite gymnastics routines are like in real life, and I think about it at least once a week even now. Watch the routine here. [14]