I, Tonya - Review

Normally when an Academy Award-nominated film comes out, it's no problem for me to go up to anybody in my household and persuade them to come with me to see it. Surprisingly, this movie was different. I ask my dad, "Hey! Wanna see that new Tonya Harding movie? It has one of the best picture nomination." My dad slowly turned to me and said, "Why? Why? Why?" At first, I didn't get it, but after some research, I understood that he was mocking Nancy Kerrigan when she was attacked. Many people know this story because of the extreme media coverage and many people I know didn't want to see it simply because of that reason. Since the events that this movie is based on occurred just one year before I was born, I was discovering this story for the first time and I love how they tackled it. They went with the Wolf of Wall Street approach with the constant fourth wall breaking and narration of past tense. Although I, Tonya recreated interviews with the subjects in modern-day whereas you never saw modern-day Jordan Belfort in Wolf of Wall Street. Something that stood out right away was the soundtrack. I mean, oh my god. This soundtrack rivals that of Forrest Gump. Songs from Fleetwood Mac, Heart, Bad Company, Supertramp, ZZ Top, Laura Branigan, etc. Also, any film that can somehow fit in Hot Chocolate's Every 1's a Winner definitely gets bonus points. As for the film itself, both Margot Robbie and Allison Janney are absolutely fantastic. Now I haven't seen or are really aware of who else is up for the Best Supporting Actress (Female Actor for anybody who is triggered easily), but I would have to assume that Allison Janney is a lock to win. I mean, man is she a great potty mouth. Something about how she annunciates every swear word that comes out of her mouth packs a punch and can be both hilarious and frightening in some scenes. I have seen Allison Janney is tons of movies and it seems like she always plays the mom character and I am happy to see her finally get real recognition for the role she seems to always play. Margot Robbie is awesome here too. I don't see Margot Robbie acting, I see Tonya Harding. After watching this performance, it's hard to imagine that we have all seen her breasts in Wolf of Wall Street. What Margot Robbie does here reminds me of what Josh Brolin was able to do in Oliver Stone's W. Josh Brolin was able to take a public figure like George W. Bush who definitely was not adored by everybody and make him somewhat sympathetic. Margot Robbie takes a figure skater who is known around the world for being somewhat of a bitchy personality and give her some sympathy. While Tonya Harding does some pretty bad things and can act pretty rude to other people, after seeing how she grew up and how she was abused in her relationship (which for the life of me I will not understand how she kept going back to that guy) you start to understand why she acts the way she does. Now that doesn't necessarily make her a likable person or totally change your perspective on her, it gives you more of an understanding of her character. Quick side note, some of the people who surrounded Tonya Harding like her husband and her "bodyguard" and the men who did the dirty deed of breaking Tonya's main competition's legs have to be some of the dumbest people ever portrayed on screen. Overall, if you are on the fence about watching a movie about figure skating, ask yourself "Did you like the Wolf of Wall Street?" If the answer is yes, watch this movie!

Video Review Here: https://youtu.be/KDf9NbEhbO8