Review of I, Tonya (2017) by Matt D — 16 Nov 2017

Even though 'I, Tonya' is mostly set in the 80s and 90s, it feels appropriate to find its release in 2017 America. It shines a light on the sort of American characters that only so rarely feature in major motion pictures but make up a great portion of our population and drive our politics with the way they think, act, and live.

This movie, while at times absolutely hilarious, is a stinging tragedy of abuse, defeat, and poverty. The character played by Allison Janney is hysterical but with every laugh you're forced to remind yourself that you're watching someone who is probably one of the WORST parents ever depicted on the silver screen. It's an absolutely vicious portrayal and Janney delivers it with gusto.

Margot Robbie is a marvel as Tonya but she is met in equally great strides by her supporting cast. Everyone turns in brilliant work and a special shout out has to go to Paul Walter Hauser as the bumbling "mastermind" of the infamous knee smashing. He takes a part that could have been cartoonishly goofy and made it a believable, living, breathing person. It's stunning work.