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Review: I, Tonya

The multi-coloured tracksuits, the big, permed hair, the soundtrack; I, Tonya really brought the 80s to life in this Tonya Harding biopic, and not in a tacky way. While the costumes and music set the scene, taking us to a different era, a different place, it's the story that really draws you in. Regardless of how much of the plot is true to life, and how much is embellished for Hollywood, it is such a great story. The big climax is, of course, the infamous Nancy Kerrigan incident, a moment in time that ensured that people all over the world knew the name Tonya Harding. However, I, Tonya is so much more than that, taking a deep dive into Harding's life, from her controlling mother, to her abusive husband, to her lifelong fight to get people to take her seriously as a figure skater.

I want to focus on the film, rather than on the life of Tonya Harding, because I haven't read enough about her yet, but it's hard because I just want to talk about what a strong person she is, how shit the people in her life were, and how unfair it was for people to not give her a fair chance because of her background and appearance. That is one of the great things about this film though, you are on Tonya's side the whole time, it will make you feel empathy, sadness, and inspiration, as she continues to fight for what she wants.



Of course, Margot Robbie was brilliant in it, she is terrific at what she does, and I'm again impressed at how good she is at doing an American accent. I believe it was also insane skating training for her too, so it would've been a lot of work but she pulled it off beautifully. Also, Allison Janney is the best. Even in her role as Tonya's unlikeable mother, we look forward to her scenes, waiting to see what she'll do and say next.

All in all, a fantastic film. It has made me want to learn more about Tonya Harding, as well as the events that transpired all those years ago. I am looking forward to checking out the documentary that is currently screening on SBS on demand, as well as doing some internet reading.

I think when a film makes you want to learn more, to delve deeper into a time, or to extend your experience, then it has done its job successfully, and I, Tonya has definitely done that.
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