The film begins with a disclaimer that states it is “based on irony-free, wildly contradictory and totally true interviews” with the people involved in the events depicted. This sets the tone for a movie that is not only deeply entertaining but also a poignant commentary on the intersection of class, gender, and ambition.
At the heart of I, Tonya is the performance of Margot Robbie. In her portrayal of Harding, Robbie expertly navigates the character’s complex emotional range – from her determination to succeed despite the obstacles thrown her way to her naivete in trusting the wrong people. The movie is at its best when it explores the dynamic between Harding and her mother LaVona, played brilliantly by Allison Janney.
Janney’s performance is the standout of the movie, earning her a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her portrayal of the tough-talking and often abusive LaVona. The relationship between Harding and her mother is at times heartbreaking, as LaVona constantly berates her daughter and undermines her self-confidence. However, the movie also shows moments of tenderness between the two where it is clear that there is a deep bond that exists despite all of their troubles.
Another standout of the film is the way in which it plays with the audience’s expectations of the traditional sports movie genre. Instead of portraying Harding as a hero or a villain, the movie portrays her as a flawed and complicated human being. She’s not always sympathetic, but neither is she a monster. The film constantly questions the viewer’s assumptions about what a sports movie should be, and this is what makes it stand out from other similar movies.
I, Tonya also excels in its recreation of the figure skating scenes. The movie seamlessly weaves archival footage and recreations of Harding’s performances, with Robbie doing most of the skating herself. The movie also portrays the subjectivity of figure skating, with the judges’ scores being based not only on technical merit but also on personal preference and bias.
Overall, I, Tonya is an engaging and thought-provoking movie that should be seen by everyone. It is a movie that defies categorization, mixing elements of humor, tragedy, and social commentary to create a unique filmgoing experience. At its heart, it is a movie about the American dream – a dream that is always within reach but is often just out of grasp. Through Harding’s story, the movie shows us the price of ambition and reminds us that success is never achieved in a vacuum.