She’s a pairs figure skater who keeps rejecting partners; he’s a washed-up hockey player. Can they win gold by falling in love and performing an unthinkable maneuver? With a setup like that, “The Cutting Edge” (1992) is the perfect launchpad for our Sports Romances kick.

Emily L. Newman (Texas A&M Unversity-Commerce) is here to break down the banter, the costumes, the battle of the sexes, and the Pamchenko Twist as a symbol of impossible love. You can catch up with Emily’s wonderful writing on The Cutting Edge right here.