Sep. 21, 2019|Australia|89 Min.|PG
Genre: Drama;Family;Kids;Music;Romance
Description: “A Second Chance: Rivals!” is a 2019 sequel to the 2011 Australian gymnastics drama “A Second Chance,” featuring many actors from the original cast. Set a decade after the events of the first film, the story follows Maddie Cornell, a former world-class gymnast whose Olympic dreams were shattered by a serious accident on the beam. Struggling with physical and emotional recovery, Maddie retreats to the South Australian countryside, where she stays with Beverly, a family friend who coaches a local gymnastics team.
Reluctantly agreeing to coach the team, Maddie prepares the young gymnasts for the national championships. Along the way, she discovers that a competing team is led by her former rival from her youth. The film portrays the hard work, determination, and challenges faced by the young athletes as they strive to overcome their city rivals.
“A Second Chance: Rivals!” is a heartwarming and predictable sequel that captures the essence of competitive junior sports. It highlights the risks, sacrifices, and triumphs of gymnastics while celebrating cultural diversity and the importance of embracing Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. With a predominantly female cast and a focus on a group of 12-year-old gymnasts, the film is particularly appealing to pre-teens and teenagers. It serves as both an entertaining coming-of-age story and an inspiring tale of perseverance and second chances.
Cast director: Clay Glen
Cast actor: Emily Morris, Stella Shute, Eva Grados, India Colombi, Elysia Markou, Alexander Lloyd, Adam Tuominen, Sally Pearson, Natasha Wanganeen, Nina Pearce
Original name: A Second Chance: Rivals!