battersea, Local Online News Community, Forums, Chats, For Sale, Classified, Offers, Film Reviews, Events, Motors Sale, Property For Sale Rent, Jobs, Hotels, Taxi, Restaurants, Pubs, Clubs, Pictures, Sports, Charities, Lost Found
  1. Published on: 22/02/2018 09:02 AMReported by: Film Critic
    Plot: The true story of the rise and fall of American figure skater, Tonya Harding.

    As I'm a big fans sports fan, I am already aware of this particular incident that the film is covering.

    The story itself is quite fascinating and does show America in its darkest side of stereotype. We all know America's strong mentality to win and dominate. This is wonderfully portrayed in this dark story and I am pretty positive people who watch this film that are not aware of the story will be totally amazed by it.

    What I noticed early on, was that it was going to tell this story as a dark comedy. It was a bold move, but it certainly put me at ease early on with some top comedic moments. Director Craig Gillespie and his team could have gone serious with its tone. But to make it more of a comedy that is similar to Goodfellas, Wolf Of Wall Street or even The Big Short at times made this a much more enjoyable viewing experience than I expected.

    It even included some solid uses of breaking the fourth wall. The first half was very strong, and then the second half portrays the craziness section of the story pretty well. However despite being accurate, I did find it hard to completely it enjoy it. This was because it just reminded me how dumb and stupid some of these characters were. That kind of thing can be hard to make you invest and root for the characters involved. But if the shock value of the story can keep you gripped, then the whole run-time will be nothing short of phenomenal for you.

    Margot Robbie was very good as the lead. She was believable as the rugged and redneck Tonya Harding and really made you think about how Harding herself was treated and if it was right. I am actually getting pretty impressed with the choices Robbie is making. On the surface, she does strike you as the type of actor that because of her popularity and looks, she would just turn to mainstream films. But she has gone for a lot of highly acclaimed projects. I think she may be more of a method actor.

    While Robbie's performance is deservedly being recognised, the real stand-out is Allison Janney. The in-your-face character she is portraying is just a comedic delight, even when it gets incredibly dark. Everything she did was spot on and the majority of the comedy comes from execution with the high quality dialogue. Do not be surprised if she just sweeps the major awards.

    Another scene stealer, particularly in the second half was Paul Walter Hauser's character. He does end up being one of the dumb characters that you just can't believe is a real person. But the accurate portrayal made me feel shocked once again.

    I was so pleased to see how good Sebastian Stan was. You will probably know him for playing the Winter Soldier in the Marvel superhero films. But he is almost unrecognisable in this vital role. He never felt out of place and felt like a well established actor that has done a variety of things. I hope this memorable performance opens more doors for him outside of the mainstream.

    My final mention in the acting aspect of the film is going to the terrific child actor Grace McKenna. She is not in it for long. But it is long enough to be integral to the story. I first saw her last summer in Gifted, and she was a complete triumph. It is more of the same, and be on the look out for any more projects she is part of. A true star she is.

    I only have the cinematography, editing and a bit of the visual effects to comment from its technical side. A lot of the camerawork in the skating scenes reminded me of the execution of the ballet sequences in Black Swan. So it consists of a lot of shaking. But not enough to disorientate you or confuse you as to what is going on.

    The quick cuts in the editing really gave a romping pace, which just added to the enjoyment of it all.

    As for the visual effects, you can tell that Robbie's face is super-imposed during the skating scenes. But I don't think it took me out of the moment. So I think to the untrained eye, it may look genuine to you.

    So while I did enjoy a lot of it, I preferred the first half to the second. Like I said before, it was mainly due to me just being annoyed by this stupid characters doing something so despicable. It was only a minor negative as I was aware of the story and its end result. But just seeing it unfurl on screen just made me get annoyed with the decisions some of these characters were making, and therefore made it hard for me to care or root for them.

    Also, while I liked the soundtrack, I think at times it was a bit on-the-nose. Those things just about prevented from being one of the standouts from 2017.

    In conclusion, I really enjoyed this. If you know story and/or were around at the time of the incident, the biggest you might get out of this this film is that it could make you see Tonya Harding in a completely different way. It could very well make you re-visit this story and read about it in detail.

    But for people who are not aware, then I think you will be thoroughly entertained with a shocking story and many performances that was very well directed.

    I think Margot Robbie and Allison Janney in particular deserve the awards nominations that they are getting. I would have liked Sebastian Stan to have been nominated for something in the major awards, as his performance was a really big surprise.

    I must finally mention that in the early part of the end credits, they show some actual footage of the story. It is quite impressive as to how accurate they executed in the film when you compare the two.

    Rating: 8/10
     

  2. Your Comments:



You are in: UK / Battersea / London
Find any Town in the UK, or Use UK map
Local Google MAP for Battersea
Tide Predictions from NTSLF.ORG



User Control Panel

Not a Member? Sign Up!

Login or Register


Film Reviews, Last Cinema Movies, Movies, DVDs
batterseabattersea News


Stats: Qlocal over 500,000 page views a month (google analytics)
battersea Bathroom Suppliesbattersea Bathroom Tapsbattersea Bathroom Furniturebattersea Bathroom Showersbattersea Shower Enclosuresbattersea Bathsbattersea L Shaped Bathbattersea P Shaped Bathbattersea Wet Roomsbattersea Bath Screensbattersea Bath Mixer Tapbattersea Bidet Tapsbattersea Toilet Seatsbattersea Sanitarywarebattersea Combined Toilet Basinbattersea Stovesbattersea Wood Stovesbattersea Home Stovesbattersea Cooker Stovesbattersea Enamel Stovesbattersea Designer Stovesbattersea Contemporary Stovesbattersea Multi Fuel Stovesbattersea Accounts Softwarebattersea Sage Softwarebattersea Sage Line 50battersea Sage Line 200battersea Pegasus Accountsbattersea Access Accountsbattersea Car Servicingbattersea MOTgbattersea Tyresbattersea Car Batterybattersea Exhaustbattersea Journalist Jobsbattersea Reporter Jobsbattersea Writing Jobsbattersea Freelance Writerbattersea Self Employed Jobsbattersea Franchise Businessbattersea Franchise Opportunitiesbattersea Driving Schoolsbattersea Driving Lessonsbattersea Driving Testbattersea Driving Theory Testbattersea Driving Instruction, 0000 battersea Driving Instructor, 0000 battersea Insolvencybattersea Insolvency Servicebattersea Insolvency Servicesbattersea Liquidation Servicebattersea Business Recoverybattersea Insolvency Practitionerbattersea Bankruptcy Servicebattersea Winding Up Petitionbattersea Business Financebattersea Business Recoverybattersea Voluntary Arrangementbattersea Individual Voluntary Arrangementbattersea IVAbattersea Debt Advicebattersea Debt Managementbattersea Company Administrationbattersea Administrationbattersea Corporate Recoverybattersea Corporate Voluntary Arrangementbattersea CVAbattersea Corporate Insolvencybattersea Corporate Liquidationbattersea Members Voluntary Liquidationbattersea MVLbattersea Partnership Voluntary Arrangementbattersea PVAbattersea Tax Demandbattersea Invoice Financebattersea Bridging Financebattersea Vouchersbattersea Dealsbattersea Matalanbattersea Firewoodbattersea Fire Woodbattersea Kiln Dried Hardwoodbattersea Logs For Salebattersea Log Suppliesbattersea Logsbattersea Firewood Logsbattersea Seasoned Logsbattersea Hardwood Logsbattersea Firewood Suppliersbattersea Firewood Log Suppliersbattersea Firewood Dumpy Bagsbattersea Firewood Cratesbattersea Cheap Firewoodbattersea Homefire Logsbattersea Cheap Firewood Logsbattersea Kindle Conesbattersea Pizza Oven Logsbattersea Heating Oilbattersea Home Heating Oilbattersea Red Dieselbattersea White Dieselbattersea Keresenebattersea Commercial Fuelsbattersea Calor Gasbattersea Propane Gasbattersea Butane Gasbattersea Heating Gasbattersea Horse Trainingbattersea Horse Trainerbattersea Horse Whispererbattersea Equine Whispererbattersea Horse Whisperer Victoria Smithbattersea Rattan Garden Furniturebattersea Rattan Furniturebattersea Rattan Sofabattersea Rattan Dining Setbattersea Rattan Directbattersea Cheap Rattan Furniturebattersea Rattan Corner Sofasbattersea Rattan Day Bedsbattersea Rattan Sun Loungersbattersea Rattan Cube Setsbattersea Rattan Bistro Setsbattersea Chimeneasbattersea Firepitsbattersea Patio Heatersbattersea Card Payments Processingbattersea Credit Card Processingbattersea Merchant Servicesbattersea Merchant Accountbattersea Merchant Paymentsbattersea Card Machinesbattersea Card Terminalsbattersea Online Paymentsbattersea Worldpaybattersea Bouncy Castlesbattersea Bouncy Castle Hirebattersea Garden Trampolinesbattersea Pramsbattersea Pushchairsbattersea Strollersbattersea Hauck Pramsbattersea Huackbattersea Childrens Trampolinesbattersea Baby Mobilesbattersea Baby Activity Matsbattersea Baby Bedroom Furniturebattersea Childrens Bedroom Furniturebattersea Hygiene Vendingbattersea Washroom Vendingbattersea Air Freshenersbattersea Air Carebattersea Aerosol Systemsbattersea Gel Systemsbattersea Water Savingbattersea Urinal Water Savingbattersea Eco Capsbattersea Sensaflushbattersea Water Managementbattersea Urinal Dosingbattersea Urinal V Screensbattersea Legionella Risk Assessmentbattersea Legionaires Bacterialbattersea Odour Controlbattersea Odour Eliminationbattersea Odour Removalbattersea Airsterilbattersea Hand Carebattersea Hand Creambattersea Hand Soapbattersea Hand Washingbattersea Hand Dryingbattersea Hand Dryersbattersea Electric Hand Dryersbattersea Fast Hand Dryersbattersea Commercial Hand Dryersbattersea Energy Efficient Hand Dryersbattersea Hand Dryer Rentalbattersea Hand Dryer Salesbattersea Paper Towelsbattersea Roller Towelsbattersea Cotton Roller Towelsbattersea Blue Roller Towelsbattersea White Roller Towelsbattersea Janitorial Suppliesbattersea Janitorialbattersea Cleaning Suppliesbattersea Cleaning Productsbattersea Cleaning Equipmentbattersea Office Cleaningbattersea Home Cleaningbattersea Debt Recovery Servicesbattersea Debt Recoverybattersea Debt Collectionbattersea Outsource Credit Controlbattersea Collection Agencybattersea Debt Collection Agencybattersea Commercial Canopybattersea Steel Canopybattersea Bike Shedsbattersea Bike Storagebattersea Bicycle Storebattersea Bicycle Storagebattersea Bikes Storebattersea Bike Storebattersea Outdoor Canopybattersea Cycle Sheltersbattersea Cycle Shedbattersea Cycle Storagebattersea Cycle Rackbattersea Cycle Compoundbattersea Cycle Solutionsbattersea Scooter Storagebattersea Scooter Shelterbattersea Canopiesbattersea Canopybattersea Play Area Canopybattersea Entrance Canopiesbattersea Entrance Canopybattersea Waiting Shelterbattersea Smoking Shelterbattersea Parent Waiting Shelterbattersea Parent Shelterbattersea Teen Shelterbattersea Nursery Canopybattersea School Canopybattersea Play Canopybattersea Envirolawnbattersea Astroturfbattersea Cheap Astroturfbattersea Artificial Grassbattersea Cheap Artificial Grassbattersea Astro Turfbattersea Artificial Lawnbattersea Fake Grassbattersea Fake Lawnbattersea Fire Stove Glassbattersea Heat Resistant Glassbattersea Fire Glassbattersea Stove Glassbattersea Fire Resistant Glassbattersea Replacement Stove Glassbattersea Glass For Stovesbattersea Spill Kitsbattersea Spill Control Kitsbattersea Spill Kit Refillsbattersea Spill Kit Refill GK6battersea Chemical Spill Kitsbattersea Oil Spill Kitsbattersea Solar Panelsbattersea Solar Panels Costbattersea Solar Heatingbattersea Solar PVbattersea Commercial Solarbattersea Photovoltaicbattersea Dust Matsbattersea Entrance Matsbattersea Reception Matsbattersea Anti Fatigue Matsbattersea Floor Matsbattersea Logo Matsbattersea Washroom Servicesbattersea Principal Washroomsbattersea Washrooms Suppliesbattersea Washrooms Solutionsbattersea Sanitary Disposalbattersea Sanitary Binsbattersea Sani Binsbattersea Lady Binsbattersea Feminine Hygiene Unitsbattersea Sanitary Waste Disposalbattersea Sanitary Wastebattersea Sanitary Unitsbattersea Feminine Unitsbattersea Hygiene Servicesbattersea Sanitary Bin Supplierbattersea Sanitary Bin Rentalbattersea Sanitary Bin Rental Servicesbattersea General Wastebattersea Trade Wastebattersea Commercial Wastebattersea Business Wastebattersea Waste Managementbattersea Waste Collectionbattersea Cardboard Wastebattersea Paper Wastebattersea Plastic Wastebattersea Glass Wastebattersea Biomass Wastebattersea Metal Wastebattersea Confidential Wastebattersea Confidential Waste Servicebattersea On Site Shreddingbattersea Off Site Shreddingbattersea One Off Shreddingbattersea Contract Shreddingbattersea Dental Wastebattersea Dental Waste Disposalbattersea Dental Waste Legislationbattersea Dental Waste Compliancebattersea Accupuncture Wastebattersea Accupuncture Waste Disposalbattersea Accupuncture Waste Collectionbattersea Tattoo Wastebattersea Tattoo Waste Disposalbattersea Sharps Binbattersea Sharps Collectionbattersea Hazardous Sharpsbattersea Non Hazardous Sharpsbattersea Cytotoxic Sharpsbattersea Cytostatic Sharpsbattersea Ink Blockbattersea Wet_Wastebattersea Tattoo Inkbattersea Drug Destructionbattersea Drug Disposalbattersea Drug Denaturingbattersea Unwanted Drugsbattersea Out Of Date Drugsbattersea Pest Controlbattersea Rodent Controlbattersea Bird Controlbattersea Bird Proofingbattersea Guano Controlbattersea Pest Call Outbattersea Pest Preventionbattersea Pest Deterrentbattersea Nursery Wastebattersea Nappy Wastebattersea Nappy Binbattersea Nappy Disposalbattersea Nappy Wheelie Binbattersea Nursery Waste Disposalbattersea Nursery Waste Collectionbattersea Incontinence Padsbattersea Offensive Wastebattersea Human Wastebattersea Nursing Home Wastebattersea Care Home Wastebattersea Hazardous Wastebattersea Infectous Wastebattersea Pharmaceutical Wastebattersea Medicinal Wastebattersea Medicine Wastebattersea Infection Controlbattersea Hand Sanitisersbattersea Clinical Waste Disposalbattersea Clinical Waste Managementbattersea Clinical Waste Policybattersea EA Registrationbattersea Hammocksbattersea Garden Hammocksbattersea Adult Hammocksbattersea Childrens Hammocksbattersea Baby Hammocks