I, Tonya (2017)

Review by CJ

Director:
Craig Gillespie

Starring:
Margot Robbie, Sebastian Stan, Allison Janney, Paul Walter Hauser

Other notable appearances:
Julianne Nicholson, Bobby Cannavale, Caitlin Carver

Running time:
120 minutes

Watch this if you liked:
American Hustle, Wolf of Wall Street, The Big Short

 

For all of her life, all Tonya Harding (Robbie) has wanted is to be loved and to be a champion figure skater. But life, and your ex-husband, don’t always share your plans.

I, Tonya is the latest in a line of ‘inspired by a true story’ films that take the grimy truths and make them entertaining while managing to infuse dark humour.

Another delightful feature often found in these films, and prevalent in I, Tonya, is the breaking of the fourth wall. The fourth wall is even broken during major events, which both adds an element of comedy and draws the viewer further into the events being depicted.

None of the characters are particularly likeable, but Tonya does elicit sympathy from the viewers due to a tumultuous upbringing, marriage and life in general. Dialogue is sharp, witty and delivered by the actors well.

Margot Robbie is one of my favourite actresses and her performance in I, Tonya is a testament to her talent. Allison Janney is impeccable as Tonya’s hard and crass mother. Both women deserve the praise they are receiving at the awards shows and I can’t wait to see if either collect an Academy Award in a few weeks.

The I, Tonya soundtrack is fun and very retro which makes the film feel even more authentic alongside the gritty aesthetics.

If you have enjoyed recent films with the same modus operandi, like American Hustle, The Big Short, and American Made, or even if you just love films based on a true story, I, Tonya is a great addition to the genre and well worth checking out.

Rating:

“I mean, come on! What kind of friggin’ person bashes in their friend’s knee? Who would do that to a friend?”