cheltenham, 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 / Cheltenham / South West
Find any Town in the UK, or Use UK map
Local Google MAP for Cheltenham



User Control Panel

Not a Member? Sign Up!

Login or Register


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


Stats: Qlocal over 500,000 page views a month (google analytics)
cheltenham Bathroom Suppliescheltenham Bathroom Tapscheltenham Bathroom Furniturecheltenham Bathroom Showerscheltenham Shower Enclosurescheltenham Bathscheltenham L Shaped Bathcheltenham P Shaped Bathcheltenham Wet Roomscheltenham Bath Screenscheltenham Bath Mixer Tapcheltenham Bidet Tapscheltenham Toilet Seatscheltenham Sanitarywarecheltenham Combined Toilet Basincheltenham Stovescheltenham Wood Stovescheltenham Home Stovescheltenham Cooker Stovescheltenham Enamel Stovescheltenham Designer Stovescheltenham Contemporary Stovescheltenham Multi Fuel Stovescheltenham Accounts Softwarecheltenham Sage Softwarecheltenham Sage Line 50cheltenham Sage Line 200cheltenham Pegasus Accountscheltenham Access Accountscheltenham Car Servicingcheltenham MOTgcheltenham Tyrescheltenham Car Batterycheltenham Exhaustcheltenham Journalist Jobscheltenham Reporter Jobscheltenham Writing Jobscheltenham Freelance Writercheltenham Self Employed Jobscheltenham Franchise Businesscheltenham Franchise Opportunitiescheltenham Driving Schoolscheltenham Driving Lessonscheltenham Driving Testcheltenham Driving Theory Testcheltenham Driving Instruction, 0000 cheltenham Driving Instructor, 0000 cheltenham Insolvencycheltenham Insolvency Servicecheltenham Insolvency Servicescheltenham Liquidation Servicecheltenham Business Recoverycheltenham Insolvency Practitionercheltenham Bankruptcy Servicecheltenham Winding Up Petitioncheltenham Business Financecheltenham Business Recoverycheltenham Voluntary Arrangementcheltenham Individual Voluntary Arrangementcheltenham IVAcheltenham Debt Advicecheltenham Debt Managementcheltenham Company Administrationcheltenham Administrationcheltenham Corporate Recoverycheltenham Corporate Voluntary Arrangementcheltenham CVAcheltenham Corporate Insolvencycheltenham Corporate Liquidationcheltenham Members Voluntary Liquidationcheltenham MVLcheltenham Partnership Voluntary Arrangementcheltenham PVAcheltenham Tax Demandcheltenham Invoice Financecheltenham Bridging Financecheltenham Voucherscheltenham Dealscheltenham Matalancheltenham Firewoodcheltenham Fire Woodcheltenham Kiln Dried Hardwoodcheltenham Logs For Salecheltenham Log Suppliescheltenham Logscheltenham Firewood Logscheltenham Seasoned Logscheltenham Hardwood Logscheltenham Firewood Supplierscheltenham Firewood Log Supplierscheltenham Firewood Dumpy Bagscheltenham Firewood Cratescheltenham Cheap Firewoodcheltenham Homefire Logscheltenham Cheap Firewood Logscheltenham Kindle Conescheltenham Pizza Oven Logscheltenham Heating Oilcheltenham Home Heating Oilcheltenham Red Dieselcheltenham White Dieselcheltenham Keresenecheltenham Commercial Fuelscheltenham Calor Gascheltenham Propane Gascheltenham Butane Gascheltenham Heating Gascheltenham Horse Trainingcheltenham Horse Trainercheltenham Horse Whisperercheltenham Equine Whisperercheltenham Horse Whisperer Victoria Smithcheltenham Rattan Garden Furniturecheltenham Rattan Furniturecheltenham Rattan Sofacheltenham Rattan Dining Setcheltenham Rattan Directcheltenham Cheap Rattan Furniturecheltenham Rattan Corner Sofascheltenham Rattan Day Bedscheltenham Rattan Sun Loungerscheltenham Rattan Cube Setscheltenham Rattan Bistro Setscheltenham Chimeneascheltenham Firepitscheltenham Patio Heaterscheltenham Card Payments Processingcheltenham Credit Card Processingcheltenham Merchant Servicescheltenham Merchant Accountcheltenham Merchant Paymentscheltenham Card Machinescheltenham Card Terminalscheltenham Online Paymentscheltenham Worldpaycheltenham Bouncy Castlescheltenham Bouncy Castle Hirecheltenham Garden Trampolinescheltenham Pramscheltenham Pushchairscheltenham Strollerscheltenham Hauck Pramscheltenham Huackcheltenham Childrens Trampolinescheltenham Baby Mobilescheltenham Baby Activity Matscheltenham Baby Bedroom Furniturecheltenham Childrens Bedroom Furniturecheltenham Hygiene Vendingcheltenham Washroom Vendingcheltenham Air Freshenerscheltenham Air Carecheltenham Aerosol Systemscheltenham Gel Systemscheltenham Water Savingcheltenham Urinal Water Savingcheltenham Eco Capscheltenham Sensaflushcheltenham Water Managementcheltenham Urinal Dosingcheltenham Urinal V Screenscheltenham Legionella Risk Assessmentcheltenham Legionaires Bacterialcheltenham Odour Controlcheltenham Odour Eliminationcheltenham Odour Removalcheltenham Airsterilcheltenham Hand Carecheltenham Hand Creamcheltenham Hand Soapcheltenham Hand Washingcheltenham Hand Dryingcheltenham Hand Dryerscheltenham Electric Hand Dryerscheltenham Fast Hand Dryerscheltenham Commercial Hand Dryerscheltenham Energy Efficient Hand Dryerscheltenham Hand Dryer Rentalcheltenham Hand Dryer Salescheltenham Paper Towelscheltenham Roller Towelscheltenham Cotton Roller Towelscheltenham Blue Roller Towelscheltenham White Roller Towelscheltenham Janitorial Suppliescheltenham Janitorialcheltenham Cleaning Suppliescheltenham Cleaning Productscheltenham Cleaning Equipmentcheltenham Office Cleaningcheltenham Home Cleaningcheltenham Debt Recovery Servicescheltenham Debt Recoverycheltenham Debt Collectioncheltenham Outsource Credit Controlcheltenham Collection Agencycheltenham Debt Collection Agencycheltenham Commercial Canopycheltenham Steel Canopycheltenham Bike Shedscheltenham Bike Storagecheltenham Bicycle Storecheltenham Bicycle Storagecheltenham Bikes Storecheltenham Bike Storecheltenham Outdoor Canopycheltenham Cycle Shelterscheltenham Cycle Shedcheltenham Cycle Storagecheltenham Cycle Rackcheltenham Cycle Compoundcheltenham Cycle Solutionscheltenham Scooter Storagecheltenham Scooter Sheltercheltenham Canopiescheltenham Canopycheltenham Play Area Canopycheltenham Entrance Canopiescheltenham Entrance Canopycheltenham Waiting Sheltercheltenham Smoking Sheltercheltenham Parent Waiting Sheltercheltenham Parent Sheltercheltenham Teen Sheltercheltenham Nursery Canopycheltenham School Canopycheltenham Play Canopycheltenham Envirolawncheltenham Astroturfcheltenham Cheap Astroturfcheltenham Artificial Grasscheltenham Cheap Artificial Grasscheltenham Astro Turfcheltenham Artificial Lawncheltenham Fake Grasscheltenham Fake Lawncheltenham Fire Stove Glasscheltenham Heat Resistant Glasscheltenham Fire Glasscheltenham Stove Glasscheltenham Fire Resistant Glasscheltenham Replacement Stove Glasscheltenham Glass For Stovescheltenham Spill Kitscheltenham Spill Control Kitscheltenham Spill Kit Refillscheltenham Spill Kit Refill GK6cheltenham Chemical Spill Kitscheltenham Oil Spill Kitscheltenham Solar Panelscheltenham Solar Panels Costcheltenham Solar Heatingcheltenham Solar PVcheltenham Commercial Solarcheltenham Photovoltaiccheltenham Dust Matscheltenham Entrance Matscheltenham Reception Matscheltenham Anti Fatigue Matscheltenham Floor Matscheltenham Logo Matscheltenham Washroom Servicescheltenham Principal Washroomscheltenham Washrooms Suppliescheltenham Washrooms Solutionscheltenham Sanitary Disposalcheltenham Sanitary Binscheltenham Sani Binscheltenham Lady Binscheltenham Feminine Hygiene Unitscheltenham Sanitary Waste Disposalcheltenham Sanitary Wastecheltenham Sanitary Unitscheltenham Feminine Unitscheltenham Hygiene Servicescheltenham Sanitary Bin Suppliercheltenham Sanitary Bin Rentalcheltenham Sanitary Bin Rental Servicescheltenham General Wastecheltenham Trade Wastecheltenham Commercial Wastecheltenham Business Wastecheltenham Waste Managementcheltenham Waste Collectioncheltenham Cardboard Wastecheltenham Paper Wastecheltenham Plastic Wastecheltenham Glass Wastecheltenham Biomass Wastecheltenham Metal Wastecheltenham Confidential Wastecheltenham Confidential Waste Servicecheltenham On Site Shreddingcheltenham Off Site Shreddingcheltenham One Off Shreddingcheltenham Contract Shreddingcheltenham Dental Wastecheltenham Dental Waste Disposalcheltenham Dental Waste Legislationcheltenham Dental Waste Compliancecheltenham Accupuncture Wastecheltenham Accupuncture Waste Disposalcheltenham Accupuncture Waste Collectioncheltenham Tattoo Wastecheltenham Tattoo Waste Disposalcheltenham Sharps Bincheltenham Sharps Collectioncheltenham Hazardous Sharpscheltenham Non Hazardous Sharpscheltenham Cytotoxic Sharpscheltenham Cytostatic Sharpscheltenham Ink Blockcheltenham Wet_Wastecheltenham Tattoo Inkcheltenham Drug Destructioncheltenham Drug Disposalcheltenham Drug Denaturingcheltenham Unwanted Drugscheltenham Out Of Date Drugscheltenham Pest Controlcheltenham Rodent Controlcheltenham Bird Controlcheltenham Bird Proofingcheltenham Guano Controlcheltenham Pest Call Outcheltenham Pest Preventioncheltenham Pest Deterrentcheltenham Nursery Wastecheltenham Nappy Wastecheltenham Nappy Bincheltenham Nappy Disposalcheltenham Nappy Wheelie Bincheltenham Nursery Waste Disposalcheltenham Nursery Waste Collectioncheltenham Incontinence Padscheltenham Offensive Wastecheltenham Human Wastecheltenham Nursing Home Wastecheltenham Care Home Wastecheltenham Hazardous Wastecheltenham Infectous Wastecheltenham Pharmaceutical Wastecheltenham Medicinal Wastecheltenham Medicine Wastecheltenham Infection Controlcheltenham Hand Sanitiserscheltenham Clinical Waste Disposalcheltenham Clinical Waste Managementcheltenham Clinical Waste Policycheltenham EA Registrationcheltenham Hammockscheltenham Garden Hammockscheltenham Adult Hammockscheltenham Childrens Hammockscheltenham Baby Hammocks