I, Tonya

Front Row at the Movies by Shirrel Rhoades

[mr_rating_result]

I’ve never been a big follower of Olympic ice skating events, but back in 1994 the sport got my attention when a guy viciously whacked figure skater Nancy Kerrigan in the leg with a baton. Turns out, the assailant was the buddy of the ex-husband of Tonya Harding, Nancy’s main competitor in the winter Olympics.

Oh-oh.

Nancy’s leg wasn’t broken, but the injury forced her to withdraw from the national championship. Harding won that event. Nevertheless, both she and Kerrigan were selected for the 1994 Olympic team. Harding finished eighth, while Kerrigan won the silver medal.

Tonya Harding’s ex-husband, Jeff Gillooly, accepted a plea bargain in exchange for his testimony against Harding. Gillooly and three of his buddies served time in prison. Harding received three years probation, 500 hours of community service, and a $160,000 fine. She was also forced to resign from the United States Figure Skating Association and was banned for life from participating in the USFSA as either a skater or a coach.

“I, Tonya” is Tonya Harding’s story. The movie is currently screening at Tropic Cinema.

>Margot Robbie (“Suicide Squad,” “The Wolf of Wall Street”) stars as the bad girl figure skater. Caitin Carver (“Rules Don’t Apply”) takes on the role of Nancy Kerrigan. Sebastian Stan (“Captain America: Winter Soldier,” “Lucky Logan”) plays Jeff Gillooly. And Allison Janney (TV’s “West Wing,” “The Girl on the Train”) does exceptionally well as Tonya’s despicable mother.

Does the film excuse Tonya’s behavior? No, not really. Is this a “Mommy Dearest” story? Only partially. Does this paint Tonya as a victim of domestic abuse? Yes, but that’s no justification. Does “I, Tonya” help you understand this complex, slightly wacko woman better? Indeed it does.

Margot Robbie will leave you feeling like you know Tonya Harding. A combination of good acting and the real Tonya Harding consulting on making the film.

Email Shirrel: srhoades@aol.com