Movie Review
Who here remembers the events of the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillihammer?
Particularly, the ‘incident’ that rocked the skating world just before?
I, Tonya (Release Date: January 2018)
Competitive ice skater Tonya Harding rises amongst the ranks at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, but her future in the activity is thrown into doubt when her ex-husband intervenes.
Stars: Margot Robbie, Sebastian Stan, and Allison Janney
Director: Craig Gillespie
Rating/ Runtime: R 2 Hrs
My Thoughts…
When the whole Tonya Harding vs Nancy Kerrigan thing went down I was 13 so the specific details of Kerrigan’s attack weren’t really on my radar. I was watching the Olympics that year and of course I had heard about it but being a kid at the time, meant that other things were on my mind.
Watching this ‘mockumentary’ or biopic which tells the story from Harding’s perspective very interesting. There was no question she was an amazing skater. She was after all, the first woman in the world to land a triple-axle. The question is, is this version of her story the truth?
Margot Robbie gives a spot on performance as Harding (Love her!) and Allison Janney’s portrayal as her mother? Wow! It’s enough to give you nightmares. If we are to believe the movie, Tonya Harding was a skating prodigy but she was also severely abused her whole life. First by her mother and then by her husband. It’s amazing to me that she was able to train as hard as she did with that kind of tragic life. But again, this is her version of the truth.
If any of it is true and I’m sure there are some parts that are, it is impossible not to feel for this woman. If she was truly innocent of her ex-husband’s misdeeds, then the one good thing, her driving force in life, was taken away from her, forever.
This movie was very different from what I expected but I did find myself riveted, if only because of the talented leading lady. If you are curious about it, the film is on Netflix and I think you’ll find it an interesting watch.
Rating… B
Reads & Reels 
Ooh, I’d been wanting to watch this, but I hadn’t realized it was on Netflix. Thanks for the heads up! 😀
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You’re welcome ☺
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Yes, I remember this tawdry incident. The two thugs are so deliciously low-rate! Thanks for sharing, Miss Plumtartt and I will definitely check this out!
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Awesome!
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I was expecting the movie to be garbage, focusing on the sensationalist aspect of the story. Instead I was pleasantly surprised. The treatment of class issues was deft. I don’t necessarily believe her side of the story, but it certainly made me feel greater sympathy for her.
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That’s exactly how I felt! Not sure if she did it but really felt for her if that’s how her life actually was
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I’ve heard really good things about this movie. I was supposed to watch it with a film club I’m a member of, but I was away for the meeting and didn’t get a chance. I’ll have to check it out at some point!
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Yes it wasn’t a must watch for me either but it was pretty good. You’ll have to let me know what you think.
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Oh, Tonya 😁 I was watching her interviews on Hulu, and she ended up saying “I might have heard something about it” (*it* being the plan to hurt Nancy). It sure is an entertaining story, so I might give this movie a try.
Thanks for sharing ✌
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Ha! Yes she did but apparently she thought something else was planned. You’ll have to watch to find out 😉
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I’m intrigued now! Think I’ll catch it while it’s still on Hulu 😁
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This was one of the few Oscar nominated films I didn’t get to this year but I’ve been intrigued by it all the same. I’m happy to hear it’s on Netflix! Also, you expressed a lot of my reservations going in – as far as the “truth” of the story goes – so I’m also happy to hear that didn’t detract from the film at all.
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Not at all. You’ll have to let me know what you think.
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Will do!
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I remember when all of this happened, but didn’t get into it too deeply. I’ve heard really good things about the movie, and if it’s on Netflix, I’ll make a point to watch it.
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It’s definitely worth a watch. She’s very good in the role and it was fascinating to see her version of the story play out.
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This is all new to me, so you have really sparked my intetest!
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It was quite the scandal at the time! I hope you enjoy it
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