I, Tonya
Starring: Margot Robbie, Sebastian Stan, Allison Janey
Directed by: Craig Gillepsie
Rated: R
Tonya Harding. When you hear that name, I bet the first image that pops into your head is Nancy Kerrigan crying and holding her knee in pain. You probably remember where you were when it happened or the first time you heard about it. The story behind the "Nancy Kerrigan incident" has become legendary in tabloid culture. Were Tonya and Nancy bitter rivals? Was Tonya the mind behind Nancy's attack? Did Tonya attack Nancy herself?
Using a documentary style format, I, Tonya mocks the media sensationalism that surrounded Tonya Harding's life. Her story is told from multiple unreliable narrators ultimately proving we'll never know the full truth behind the Tonya Harding/Nancy Kerrigan debacle, but there's a lot more to the story.
I, Tonyais directed masterfully by Craig Gillespie (Lars and the Real Girl). The film has a strong Martin Scorsese vibe with it's unreliable narrators, great classic rock, and fourth wall breaking. (We know that it's not a Scorsese though because he would never direct a female-driven film.) Screenwriter Steven Rogers wrote the film after interviewing Tonya Harding and Jeff Gillooly separately. He asked the two the same questions and they had completely different stories. Gillespie transfers that over to the screen as both characters have different versions of the same events. This film goes to some very dark places, but Gillespie handles it well. He never strays from the fact that Tonya has a dark story.
Margot Robbie nails this role. This is best actress material. She plays Tonya as the loud and brash misfit who doesn't seem to fit into the elitist world of figure skating. While she may not be what the US Figure Skating Association wants as their image of figure skating, she's obviously there for a reason. She's the only woman in the world who can land a triple axel. (Robbie actually did some of her own skating in the film, just not the triple axel) Skating is Tonya's passion, but it's also her escape from a downtrodden life of constant abuse. After the Nancy Kerrigan incident, Robbie has very emotional scenes portraying Tonya. One is completely silent, but it could win her the Oscar. She stares at a mirror applying makeup as she gets ready for the Olympics. Tears begin to fall, but she tries not to cry. She has to be ready to showcase the perfect public persona that the US Skating Association, and the world, so desperately craves. But the Tonya who has been used, abused, and cheated can't hide anymore. The mirror has two faces, and so does Tonya Harding.
It's important to note, a major plot point of this film is the cycle of abuse and its impact. Tonya grew up with an abusive mother, Lavona. She hurts Tonya so "she will become a champion". It's disturbing to see and even more upsetting to hear that logic. There's never a sense of love in Lavona's maternal relationship towards Tonya, only bitterness and resentment. Allison Janney is getting major award attention for this portrayal which isn't surprising as her take on Lavona is truly chilling to watch.
When Tonya is a teenager, she meets Jeff Gillooly (Sebastian Stan), a man who has admitted to "destroying her career." Tonya and Jeff have a very volatile relationship that eventually leads to the Nancy Kerrigan incident. Stan's portrayal of Jeff is deeply disturbing. One minute he seems kind and the next, he's an unstable abuser threatened by Tonya's success.
I, Tonya has a lot to say about media sensationalism. As soon as Tonya lands a triple axel, she is loved by the nation. However, just as quickly as Tonya rises in the national spotlight, she falls with rumors of her involvement with Nancy Kerrigan's knee injury. The 24-hour news cycle hounds her with questions and stalks her house. How much did she know about Nancy's injury? Will she be able to skate in the Olympics? She becomes a pariah in the only thing that made her happy. The film parallels Tonya's constant familial physical abuse with the abuse of the press.
Exploring themes of poverty, abuse, and tabloid culture; I, Tonya aims to give us a bit more perspective on Tonya Harding's life. Instead of glorifying or vilifying her, the film acknowledges that Tonya Harding is a flawed individual with a tragic past. Thanks to fantastic direction, wonderful performances, and a riveting script, I, Tonya is one of the year's best films.
My Rating: 10/10