With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today .
Biopic About Figure Skater Tonya Harding Reviewed
Listen
• 2:16
KELLY MCEVERS, HOST:
If you were live in 1994, you probably remember hearing a lot about Olympic figure skater Tonya Harding. There was a media frenzy when Harding's ex-husband was implicated in an attack on her main competitor, Nancy Kerrigan. The movie "I, Tonya" looks at Harding's story with special emphasis on her ferocious mom, who's played by Allison Janney. In a few minutes, we'll hear our co-host Ari Shapiro's conversation with Janney and "I, Tonya" screenwriter Steven Rogers. First, critic Bob Mondello has a review of the film.
BOB MONDELLO, BYLINE: In a world of glittering sequins and pirouettes to Tchaikovsky, Tonya Harding sewed her own costumes and skated to ZZ Top. She was ice skating's supremely talented bad girl.
(SOUNDBITE OF FILM, "I, TONYA")
Support for LAist comes from
BOBBY CANNAVALE: (As Martin Maddox) Tonya did the triple axel. No one else could or even had the [expletive] to try. Tonya Harding was not the image...
MARGOT ROBBIE: (As Tonya) Could I just interrupt with a quick word about Nancy Kerrigan? It'll just take a sec.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "FREE YOUR MIND")
EN VOGUE: (Singing) Free your mind.
ROBBIE: (As Tonya) Nancy and I were friends, OK? We were roommates sometimes on the road. But the press wanted Nancy to be a princess and me to be the pile of [expletive] to sell papers. I mean, what kind of frigging person bashes in their friend's knee? Who would do that to a friend?
MONDELLO: Good question, one the film answers by pulling in as many conflicting, unreliable narrators as it can - Tonya's abusive husband, her dim bodyguard, her ruthless mom who pushed her onto the ice when she was 4.
(SOUNDBITE OF FILM, "I, TONYA")
Support for LAist comes from
ALLISON JANNEY: (As LaVona Golden) And we figured with the right training, she could make the most of her gift, like, Ice Capades maybe one day or something.
MONDELLO: A chain-smoking Allison Janney is so scene-stealing you worry she'll outshine the title character. But director Craig Gillespie gives Margot Robbie room to spin Tonya into a skittery, surprisingly sympathetic whirlwind on the ice. Her triple axels may be digitized, but her strength is all Robbie. Tonya's been a punching bag for everyone, including the public. And yes, the film implicates us in that. But her defiance grows with every heckle, including her mother's.
(SOUNDBITE OF FILM, "I, TONYA")
JANNEY: (As LaVona Golden) I didn't stay home making apple brown betties. No, I made you a champion...
MONDELLO: I'm Bob Mondello.
(SOUNDBITE OF FILM, "I, TONYA")
JANNEY: (As LaVona Golden) ...Knowing you'd hate me for it. That's the sacrifice a mother makes. I wish I'd had a mother like me instead of nice. Nice gets you [expletive]. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Immigration raids have caused some U.S. citizens to carry their passports to the store, to school or to work. But what documents to have on you depends on your citizenship. -
The historic properties have been sitting vacant for decades and were put on the market as-is, with prices ranging from $750,000 to $1.75 million. -
Users of the century old Long Beach wooden boardwalk give these suggestions to safely enjoy it. -
The Newport Beach City Council approved a new artificial surf park that will replace part of an aging golf course. -
The utility, whose equipment is believed to have sparked the Eaton Fire, says payouts could come as quickly as four months after people submit a claim. But accepting the money means you'll have to forego any lawsuits. -
The City Council will vote Tuesday on a proposal to study raising the pay for construction workers on apartments with at least 10 units and up to 85 feet high.
Best of LAist