I, Tonya (2017) [Movie Review]

Dir: Craig Gillespie

Starring: Margot Robbie, Sebastian Stan, Allison Janney

Dur: 1 hr 59 mins

Genre: Biographical Drama

PG: Plenty of cuss words
Rating: 7/10

Perhaps one of the most dramatic films of the past year: I, Tonya attempts to present before the viewers the sequence of events that led up to Tonya Harding losing her name and fame in the world of figure skating. The film centres around the controversial incident that took place before the 1994 Winter Olympics, where Tonya’s fellow figure skater, Nancy Kerrigan was assaulted, supposedly by a thug hired by her ex-husband, Jeff Gillooly. Although this isn’t the real focus of the film, it is the reason behind the whole enterprise. The director, Craig Gillespie said that the film was an attempt to present Tonya “in a very honest way” without “trying to pull those heartstrings…just showing you why she is the way she is.” I think he and the whole crew did a might good effort with that. Watch it and you’ll know…

The movie begins with introducing Tonya and her family background, and how she got into figure skating. The laying of the foundation does take a little while, but not for a moment does it get tedious or boring. Interspersed with these biographical sketches are, interestingly, interviews with the characters who play Tonya, her ex, her exes best friend, her mother, a journalist, and even her skating coach. This is what I found really intriguing. The way they seamlessly blended in these brief interviews with the flow of the storyline was simply fantastic. These interviews served to offer the individual perspectives on the people involved and the situations that arose. In line with this beautiful editing work, sometimes in between an action scene, there would be a brief pause, and the camera would focus on one of the characters who would share a recollection of the incident in progress. Another wonderful aspect of the film.

The acting was impeccable. Allison Janney won multiple nominations and awards for her portrayal of Tonya’s abusive mother, LaVona. Margot is a treat to watch, both on and off the ice. Perhaps the weakest character was her exes best friend, Shawn Eckardt, played by Paul Walter Hauser. He just seemed so shapeless both physically and in terms of character portrayal. I don’t know how far he matched with the real guy, but in the film, he was a real bummer.

Craig Gillespie said in an interview that he wanted to make the film because “it was a great opportunity to revisit the story and make a commentary about how the media treats people.” This is last aspect, of how the media treats people, is brought out brilliantly. No greasing of any palms – just the facts straight and raw. I admire that in him. He was willing to stick his neck out with a delicate and controversial project like this and deliver an exceptional result, without sugarcoating the facts and without attempting to manipulate or conceal the truth.

I think the film shines on all levels and is really a good watch. If you have never heard of the controversy, like me, then it will also give you a quick lesson in history.