I, Tonya

I remember the year of 1994 for many reasons. First of all i remember 1994 because this was the year when British band Jamiroquai released their second album The Return Of The Space Cowboy, an album i played constantly at that time. This was also the year when Rollins Band released their best studio album caller Weight, an album that everyone should own. I also remember the year of 1994 because this was the year when director Luc Besson released his masterpiece movie Leon, a film i must have seen at least 15 times. Another thing i especially remember about the year of 1994, was the shocking news that Nirvana´s front man singer Kurt Cobain was found dead. Since i grew up with grunge music, or course i also listened to Nirvana during the 90´s. But let´s look back at something else that made history back in 1994. Norway was going to hold Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, and i remember how happy Scandinavia was over this. Especially Norway of course, and i did watch the Winter Olympics in Lillehammer on TV. But the one thing i think most people remember about this Olympic Games in 1994, is the scandal surrounding professional figure skater Tonya Harding. Former professional figure skater Nancy Kerrigan was attacked, and injured. This was an attempt to make sure that Tonya Harding would win over Nancy at the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, but Nancy actually won the silver medal in figure skating, while Tonya´s figure skating career was destroyed. I remember the publicity and all the news papers who hunted down Tonya Harding, they wanted to show the world what an awful person she was. I was pretty shocked myself, how desperate Tonya must have been to make someone do this to Nancy. She says that she had nothing to do with this at all, i don´t know if i can believe that. Tonya could never return to the world of figure skating after this, so she decided to become a boxer instead. She did 6 boxing fights, won 3 matches and lost 3 matches, and after this her boxing career was over. Ever since the 1994 Winter Olympics, the name of Tonya Harding will always be known worldwide, and the story will always be known in the world of sports. I read an article online back in 2017, that actor Margot Robbie ( most of you have seen her as Harley Quinn in the film Sucide Squad ) was chosen to play Tonya Harding. This got me curious, because this would be a very different project for Margot Robbie, compared to her other films. With a world famous scandal, and a great cast included, is this one film everyone should see this beginning of 2018, or should they have left the project alone ?

As a little girl, Tonya Harding practise figure skating everyday, as her mother LaVona Fay Golden ( Allison Janney ) keep pushing her to become perfect, If she does not become the best at figure skating, she is worthless. Tonya ( Margot Robbie ) is now a teenager and is becoming noticed, for being a very talented figure skater. She meets Jeff Gillooly ( Sebastian Stan ) at the ice rink, and they become a couple. Jeff is not the nice guy that he seems to be, and Tonya is soon stuck in a relationship with violence. Her way out is to focus on her figure skating career, as she tries to win every competition. But one event will change everything, when figure skater Nancy Kerringan is attacked, and injured, where Tonya´s husband Jeff seems to be behind. This will be the start where Tonya´s figure skating career is slowly dying out.

Going into this film, basically knowing nothing more than the 1994 Winter Olympics, i was really surprised how the portrait of Tonya Harding feels very deep with this film. If this story is telling the truth, on how her childhood was, including her teenage years, i have to feel sorry for her. Having a mother, who verbally abused her, and mentally abused her everyday, must have been truly horrible. Just imagine having your own mother, telling you that nothing you do is any good, no matter how good you are at something you love to do ? Then of course, there is the story of the relationship between Tonya and Jeff. There seemed to be abuse in the relationship, and a relationship filled with personal problems. Was it Jeff´s idea to attack Nancy, or did Tonya have something to do with this as well ? This is one of the questions i would guess most people would want to know. This film does bring that subject up, and you will have to decide for yourself what the truth is. I, Tonya is a film that tell a fascinating story, both very tragic, but you will also laugh at some odd situations. Lead actor Margot Robbie, who does the performance as Tonya Harding, gives one of the strongest performances of her career so far. She have really digged deep into her character, and tries to portrait who Tonya was during her figure skating career. There are many different details that we find out during the film, about Tonya´s personality. I don´t know how much is realistic, or fiction, but i will admit the film is fascinating. Allison Janney who plays Tonya´s mother LaVona, does a fantastic performance. I would say that she deserved to win at the Golden Globe Awards for Best Supporting Actress. She is so good, that you feel so angry watching her stone cold personality. She have no heart at all, for anyone. There are other performances in the film that also works really well. Director Craig Gillespie have directed a number of films, and the most interesting film in his past has to be the really charming film Lars And The Real Girl. I would say that he have made I, Tonya into a very dramatic film, where comedy manage to work better than expected. Director Craig clearly have worked hard, to make sure the portrait of Tonya Harding is powerful. I, Tonya is a film that will divide people, where some might stand up for Tonya, and others will say she is a monster. No matter what side you are on, this is a really good start for the film year of 2018. Make sure you see I, Tonya, i guarantee you will be satisfied. 

Rating: DDDD