I, Tonya: Review

I, Tonya gives us a slice of history with heavy shake of spice and huge slug of attitude. In the months before the 1994 Winter Olympics Nancy Kerrigan was attacked after a practise session during the U.S Figure Skating Championships by an unidentified man who bashed in her knee. It was later found that the volatile and violent husband of Tonya Harding - Jeff Gillooly - had orchestrated the attack on Miss Kerrigan. At the time Harding was Kerrigan's arch rival on ice, and the only American woman to successfully land the almost impossible triple-axel jump. Given Harding's troublesome background and feisty reputation the blame was eagerly shoved into her direction.

Tonya Harding makes a reappearance in an ice cold sports-thrill that throws all the glitzy figure skating sequins out the window. Retelling one of the most notorious and controversial stories of the era I, Tonya makes no judgements, instead providing the platform for both Harding, Gillooly and several others to tell their stories. Perhaps unexpectedly the film never becomes a grand pantomime of Harding vs Kerrigan, instead I, Tonya is entirely focused on Harding, her deprived upbringing and the frequent slaps, punches and humiliations she endures on the way to the top.

I, Tonya quite ingeniously turns a potentially humorous story into a stylish and slick biopic that evokes genuine feeling. Whilst the Tonya Harding scandal has been known as almost a grand game of Cluedo, I, Tonya becomes a fantastic whodunnit that allows the public to piece together the information as they please. It makes a thundering statement about how the world judged her, underestimated her and ultimately shut her out.

Through Margot Robbie's fiery, oscar worthy performance Harding is portrayed as the underdog, but neither victim nor the villain. I, Tonya is dedicated to Harding's huge determination, and highlights the setbacks she overcame and - vitally - her guts and determination when the entire world stood against her. Aside from being an electrifying character piece, I, Tonya is a fantastic nod to all those who have pointed the finger throughout time.

The film blends drama with mean spirited humour, sprinkled with an iconic Deadpool fourth wall break to the audience giving this sports drama a unique structure and style of its own.  As soon as Tonya is on the ice we are instantly captivated - I, Tonya is exhilaratingly zany, taking wonderful twists and unexpected turns - emphasising what the fallen skating star should be remembered for.

I, Tonya:

Great