A lot of people knew about this abuse but allowed it to continue in order to support their own greedy celebrity style status inside USA gymnastics. These people deserve their day in court and should be held accountable for their dis-action. They should never be allowed to work with children again. Period.

Great Documentary Film by HBO Very shocking and sad case. 7/10

"At the Heart of Gold: Inside the USA Gymnastics Scandal" (2019 release; 88 min.) is a documentary about the sex abuse scandal in the women's gymnastics world. As the movie opens, we hear Larry Nasser, in an interview dated December 6, 2013, claim "Gymnast first, gymnast first, gymnast first". We then get a general introduction into the competitive world of women's gymnastics, with its "no pain, no gain" culture, where young girls never complain, even when dealing with injuries, and ever thankful for the sympathetic ear of their team doctor, Larry Nasser. It isn't long before Nasser starts sexually assaulting them, claiming what he does is simply part of his medical treatment to get them better...

Couple of comments: this is another top notch documentary from Erin Lee Carr, who in just a few years has become one of this country's leading documentarians. Her other work includes 2017's "Mommy Dead and Dearest" and the just released "I Love You, Now Die", equally worth checking out. In this documentary, the film maker looks back at how it was possible for Nasser to get away with sexually assaulting gymnasts for as long as he did. We all know the big picture, but when it is laid out in detail and with clarity as Carr does here, it is devastating to watch. Let's be clear, this isn't just about the abuser. It's also a blistering indictment of all those enablers (looking at you, Michigan State University officials) who knew yet did nothing. When we get to the last half hour of this documentary, the focus is mostly on the victims and survivors, and rightfully so. I will admit to welling up as I was watching and listening to the multiple Victim Impact Statements. The presiding judge hits the nail on the head after Rachel Denhollander finishes her statement: "You have raised an army of women, and you are the 5 star general".

This documentary premiered at this year's Tribeca film festival to immediate and universal acclaim before going wide on HBO (I caught it on HBO On Demand the other day). It is not a coincidence that this movie is rated 100% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. Even if you think that you know what happened in this sexual abuse scandal, I'd readily suggest you seek this out, so as to give further exposure to these powerful young ladies who came out and spoke the truth. Thank you ladies, we are eternally grateful.