I, TONYA

“I, Tonya” is a 2017 biographical dark comedy directed by Craig Gillespie. The film chronicles the life of the infamous figure skater Tonya Harding and the events leading up to the attack on her rival Nancy Kerrigan during the 1994 Winter Olympics.

The film stars Margot Robbie as Tonya Harding, Sebastian Stan as Jeff Gillooly who is Tonya’s volatile and abusive husband who becomes embroiled in the plot to attack Nancy Kerrigan.

Allison Janney plays LaVona Golden, Tonya’s demanding, domineering mother who pushes her daughter to succeed in figure skating at all costs. Julianne Nicholson as Diane Rawlinson, Tonya’s coach, and Paul Walter Hauser as Shawn Eckhardt – Jeff’s delusional friend who fancies himself a counter-terrorism expert and becomes involved in the plot to attack Nancy Kerrigan.

The film is structured as a mockumentary, with interviews interspersed throughout the narrative to provide different perspectives on the events depicted. It begins with Tonya’s early years as a talented but rebellious skater, constantly battling against prejudice and unfair treatment from the judges due to her unconventional background and appearance.

As Tonya’s skating career progresses, she falls in love with Jeff Gillooly, a volatile and abusive man who becomes her husband and manager. Despite their tumultuous relationship, Tonya continues to excel on the ice, becoming the first American woman to land a triple axel in competition.

However, Tonya’s success is overshadowed by controversy when Jeff and his friend Shawn hatch a plan to sabotage Tonya’s rival, Nancy Kerrigan, by injuring her before the 1994 Winter Olympics. The attack on Kerrigan becomes a media sensation and leads to Tonya’s downfall, as she is banned from competitive skating for her alleged involvement.

“I, Tonya” explores themes of class, abuse, and the pursuit of fame, offering a sympathetic portrayal of Tonya Harding as a complex and flawed individual unfairly vilified by the media. Margot Robbie delivers an outstanding performance as Tonya, capturing her vulnerability and resilience in adversity. Allison Janney also shines as Tonya’s abrasive mother, earning an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal.

Overall, “I, Tonya” is a darkly comedic film that offers a fresh perspective on one of the most infamous scandals in sports history while raising questions about the nature of truth and perception in the media.