I, Tonya (2017)
This big screen indie film is actually the 2nd film to deal with the saga of Tonya Harding. The 1st was a long ago TV movie which was actually done in similar mockumentary fashion. This was okay but does not resonate on an emotional level.
This sorta bio-pic of the scandal hit skater Tonya Harding shows how she will forever be infamous for the 1994 attack on her rival Nancy Kerrigan. The abused redneck Tonya endures her demonic mother, a father who walks out, endless abuse, a foul husband and she’s deeply miserable and not aesthetically pleasing. She is however a great skater.
She faces moral indignation for skating to ZZ Top, her tacky costumes, frizzy hair and loud nail polish. Nobody has respect or courtesy for her even though she skated in 2 Winter Olympic Games. Her involvement in the attack on Nancy Kerrigan was career and life defining.
This re-evaluation of Tonya is full of sympathy and committed performances but does underplay what was done to Nancy Kerrigan. This was okay as Tonya gets no emotional succour from anyone and is given to venomous exchanges with everyone. Before he leaves her father hunts rabbits to make her a fur coat which other skaters mock also her mother throws a stake knife into her arm and insults her on her wedding day.
Margot Robbie, Sebastian Stan, Allison Janney and Julianne Nicholson star. The skating scenes are done well and there is a hilarious re-creation of Tonya’s ‘Rocky IV’ inspired training regime for the 1994 Olympics.
Best Lines:
“Skate wet.
“You don’t marry dumb.”
~
The Take aka Bastille Day (2016)
This film had very bad timing being released near a terrorist attack in France. This had gratuitous nudity about 1 minute in. A pickpocket uses and ditches women and steals. Idris Elba plays a CIA agent. A woman wears a bad wig and the thief steals a bag with a bomb which he tosses and which then blows up. Cue running around, people yapping in French and amoralism. This was an unproductive frolic that is dreary and hilariously pretentious. Has wilful disregard for sense or logic or quality.
Best Lines:
“Who you alone ascertained.”
“You were coming after me! Have you seen yourself?”
“You will not be missed.”
~
Stay Tuned (1993)
Good, the ‘Three’s Company’ skit is the best.
The Cutting Edge (1992)
No to this as a spoiled rich girl and a blue collar hockey player ice dance.
Best Line:
“Toe pick!”