The film begins in Tonya’s early life, when viewers become acquainted with 4-year-old Tonya and her foul-mouthed, abusive mother, LaVona Golden (Allison Janney). As Tonya’s career progresses, it soon becomes evident that she lacks the grace, beauty, and lifestyle of her competitors. However, with the help of Dianne Rawlinson (Julianne Nicholson), she soon overcomes these obstacles and begins to make a name for herself. During her teen years, she meets her future husband Jeff Gillooly (Sebastian Stan). Their toxic relationship follows Tonya throughout the film and her career.
Harding’s first encounter with the Winter Olympics doesn’t go as planned; this sets her on a spiral of emotional and physical turmoil. Her relationship with Jeff becomes more violent, and Tonya finds herself working at a restaurant to make ends meet. Now, if you’ve heard anything about Tonya Harding, it’s probably her involvement in the brutal attack on Nancy Kerrigan in 1994. However, her suspected involvement didn’t stop Harding from competing in the 1994 Winter Olympics. Once the Olympics are over, Harding is on trial, where she receives a lifetime ban from the U.S. Figure Skating Association. Her accomplices (Jeff Gillooly, Shawn Eckhardt, Shane Stant, and Derrick Smith) were all also brought to trial and sentenced to two years in prison.
Margot Robbie gives a career-defining performance as the shamed skater. She displays Tonya’s strong-minded personality and isn’t afraid to let her emotions shine through. Sebastian Stan is equally impressive at showing the contrast between the past and present of his relationship with Tonya. In addition, Allison Janney plays her now-estranged mother, LaVona in a tour-de-force performance. She perfectly plays the role of the coarse, foul-mouthed mother she is. The film’s Roshmon format is emphasised by the incredible performances each cast member brings. A prime example is when viewers see Tonya chasing Jeff through the house with a shotgun.
Despite Robbie training for months for her role, CGI was still needed for the graceful skating throughout the film. However, during close-ups, viewers may notice the poor quality of the CGI. In some shots, Robbie’s face seems to be blatantly pasted over her two skating doubles (Anna Malkova and Heidi Munger). Nicolas Karakatsanis provides “I, Tonya” with a smooth, unique appearance, and the 35mm film adds more detail to the film.
Director Gillespie makes sure to bring up the complex themes that feature throughout “I, Tonya.” Some of the heavy themes and ideas the film deals with include how the media treats people, how far your passion can push yourself and the ones you love, and how sometimes people can perceive physical and emotional abuse as a form of affection. The film shines a light on the toxicity that surrounds competitive sport and how far some will go for victory.
In conclusion, “I, Tonya” is an acerbic film that tells the emotional story of Harding and her rise and fall. It features a star-studded cast, stylish costumes and impressive filmmaking. If you’re in the mood for more biographical films after watching “I, Tonya,” films like “Molly’s Game” and “Stronger” may be your speed. But if you like Tonya Harding’s story, the 2014 documentary “The Price of Gold” should be the film for you.
*”I, Tonya” is currently available to watch on most streaming platforms.
