Melissa Rauch aims for gold in making ‘The Bronze’ film

Melissa Rauch, co-writer and star of “The Bronze,” has spent a lot of time talking about the “likability” — or lack thereof — of her character, Hope.

Is she tired of discussing it?

“I could talk about this for hours,” says Rauch, best known for her role as Bernadette on “The Big Bang Theory.” “So we may run out of time.”

It’s fine with Rauch if people don’t like Hope, an Olympic gymnast whose glory days are behind her. Hope took the bronze medal at the 2004 games after pulling off a miraculous, Kerri Strug-like performance on the uneven bars.

After an injury ended her bid at the 2008 Olympics, she remained in her small town, living on free Sbarro pizza, stealing from her mailman dad (Gary Cole) and showcasing an impressive talent for profanity. It was important to Rauch and her co-writer (and husband), Winston Rauch, that Hope’s sour attitude be a product of her circumstances — not something inherent within her.

“She was cut off from her dream; she’s stuck and unable to reset or re-engage in this new phase of her life, and it’s made her very bitter.” Rauch emphasizes that “The Bronze” is not a story that’s all about redemption.

“We didn’t want to put a big bow on it at the end and have her become this totally different person in an hour and a half.”

So go ahead and hate Hope. After all, Hope wouldn’t particularly care.