Absolutely captivating

Rating: 8/10 (17 September 2019)

What absolutely makes this movie is the statement right at the beginning. This movie is based on a set of "irony-free, wildly contradictory and totally true" interviews. That's where we're at. Everybody's version of events is represented and you can make up your mind.
This device compounds what is already an incredible story and makes it even more wild and zany. The characters within are all brilliant. Any of these would steal scenes left, right and centre in any other movie. Chief burglar is Allison Janney who plays Tonya's mum. She's cruel and damaged, with a filthy mouth and absolutely hilarious.
In truth this is a very funny movie. The dim witted individuals garner much of the laughs but there's plenty of black humour too such as when Tonya's mum kicks her off a chair as a child.
This is also one of the area's where one might criticise the movie. Tonya is a victim of psychological and physical abuse at the hands of her mother and of continuous domestic abuse from her husband. This is glaringly pointed out and alarming, but so often it shifts uncomfortably tonally as we witness another jape or moment of humour.
The excellent Sebastian Stan is partly responsible too. He is undoubtedly a shameful character but often his other antics elicit sympathy.
I'm not quite sure how the director would have managed to tip toe through this mine field other than the way he does, without losing credibility or enjoyment, but it must be recognised.
A more obvious misstep is using Margot Robbie (who warranted her numerous nominations) to represent Tonya at 15. Robbie, who to me generally looks older than her years, pushes credibility here. She's absolutely acceptable at 21-23 and perfect for the "interview" scenes filmed years after.
Whether you're familiar with the story or not, it's absolutely remarkable and 100% worth revisiting. There are interesting takes on the class barriers put up to figure skaters (and Olympians) and the infancy of 24 hour news channels and how their primary journalistic role gave way to providing opinion and entertainment.
Caveats aside you're in for a rollercoaster of 2 hours that zips along that has so much to recommend. EIGHT