Golden Arm is a winning sports sismance comedy that blends the right amount of sweetness and vulgarity, with Mary Holland and Betsy Sodaro making a great comedy duo.

Ever since Bridesmaids turned the comedy world on its head, numerous films have tried to replicate its female led comedy formula. Golden Arm succeeds where others have failed. Directed by Maureen Bharoocha (I Am Watching You) and written by Ann Marie Allison and Jenna Milly (both worked on Love Under the Olive Tree), Golden Arm brings that mix of sass, sweetness, and plenty of swearing to its story of sisterhood and arm wrestling.

The latter is interesting, since the last film to tackle arm wrestling was 1987’s Over the Top, starring Sylvester Stallone. Golden Arm does borrow some of the ideas and imagery from that cult-classic, namely in regard to trucker culture and arm-wrestling matches in bars, yet what it lacks in testosterone machismo and makes up for in its story of female empowerment. As one memorable scene states, this ain’t about balls; this is about labia power!

Golden Arm stars Mary Holland as Melanie, a baker deep in debt and on the fast track to divorce from her douche soon to be ex-husband (Matt Newell). A blast from the past in the form of Melanie’s estranged best friend, Danny (Betsy Sodaro), re-enters her life with a proposal to take part in a national women’s arm-wrestling tournament that has a major cash prize for the winner. Although Melanie is not convinced, Danny knows that Melanie has the “golden arm”, a right arm from hell that can take down the biggest opponent, even if its owner is lacking that warrior spirit.

Both Holland and Sodaro are terrific in their roles. There is a strong chemistry that compliments their opposing styles that, although traditional in form (the straight lead and the more robust comedic partner) shines whenever the pair are on the screen.

Holland portrays her characters arc from cowardly dreamer to she-warrior arm wrestler with the right blend of bashful charm and on-key comedic timing. Solardo compliments with a turn loud and gloriously vile, her unique voice (Solardo has featured in many animation productions) used especially well when delivering curse-filled insults that hit their mark with hilarious precision.

No doubt taking inspiration from TV program GLOW, Bharoocha has her army of women arm-wrestlers dress in varied costume that gives the arm wrestling matches a visual pop, which is needed considering the matches last a short time and lack drama, save for the eventual final battle. Golden Arm though is less about the fight and more about the journey to get there, a story of empowerment that is entertaining, thanks especially to its lead actors.