southport, 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. WANTED: YOUR NEWS AND STORIES FOR SOUTHPORT
    Email local news to us including image(s) southport@qlocal.co.uk
    Follow / Report to us on Twitter @SouthportQlocal
    Follow / Comment with us on Facebook qlocalsouthport

    Your Comments:



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



User Control Panel

Not a Member? Sign Up!

Login or Register


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


Stats: Qlocal over 500,000 page views a month (google analytics)
southport Bathroom Suppliessouthport Bathroom Tapssouthport Bathroom Furnituresouthport Bathroom Showerssouthport Shower Enclosuressouthport Bathssouthport L Shaped Bathsouthport P Shaped Bathsouthport Wet Roomssouthport Bath Screenssouthport Bath Mixer Tapsouthport Bidet Tapssouthport Toilet Seatssouthport Sanitarywaresouthport Combined Toilet Basinsouthport Stovessouthport Wood Stovessouthport Home Stovessouthport Cooker Stovessouthport Enamel Stovessouthport Designer Stovessouthport Contemporary Stovessouthport Multi Fuel Stovessouthport Accounts Softwaresouthport Sage Softwaresouthport Sage Line 50southport Sage Line 200southport Pegasus Accountssouthport Access Accountssouthport Car Servicingsouthport MOTgsouthport Tyressouthport Car Batterysouthport Exhaustsouthport Journalist Jobssouthport Reporter Jobssouthport Writing Jobssouthport Freelance Writersouthport Self Employed Jobssouthport Franchise Businesssouthport Franchise Opportunitiessouthport Driving Schoolssouthport Driving Lessonssouthport Driving Testsouthport Driving Theory Testsouthport Driving Instruction, 0000 southport Driving Instructor, 0000 southport Insolvencysouthport Insolvency Servicesouthport Insolvency Servicessouthport Liquidation Servicesouthport Business Recoverysouthport Insolvency Practitionersouthport Bankruptcy Servicesouthport Winding Up Petitionsouthport Business Financesouthport Business Recoverysouthport Voluntary Arrangementsouthport Individual Voluntary Arrangementsouthport IVAsouthport Debt Advicesouthport Debt Managementsouthport Company Administrationsouthport Administrationsouthport Corporate Recoverysouthport Corporate Voluntary Arrangementsouthport CVAsouthport Corporate Insolvencysouthport Corporate Liquidationsouthport Members Voluntary Liquidationsouthport MVLsouthport Partnership Voluntary Arrangementsouthport PVAsouthport Tax Demandsouthport Invoice Financesouthport Bridging Financesouthport Voucherssouthport Dealssouthport Matalansouthport Firewoodsouthport Fire Woodsouthport Kiln Dried Hardwoodsouthport Logs For Salesouthport Log Suppliessouthport Logssouthport Firewood Logssouthport Seasoned Logssouthport Hardwood Logssouthport Firewood Supplierssouthport Firewood Log Supplierssouthport Firewood Dumpy Bagssouthport Firewood Cratessouthport Cheap Firewoodsouthport Homefire Logssouthport Cheap Firewood Logssouthport Kindle Conessouthport Pizza Oven Logssouthport Heating Oilsouthport Home Heating Oilsouthport Red Dieselsouthport White Dieselsouthport Keresenesouthport Commercial Fuelssouthport Calor Gassouthport Propane Gassouthport Butane Gassouthport Heating Gassouthport Horse Trainingsouthport Horse Trainersouthport Horse Whisperersouthport Equine Whisperersouthport Horse Whisperer Victoria Smithsouthport Rattan Garden Furnituresouthport Rattan Furnituresouthport Rattan Sofasouthport Rattan Dining Setsouthport Rattan Directsouthport Cheap Rattan Furnituresouthport Rattan Corner Sofassouthport Rattan Day Bedssouthport Rattan Sun Loungerssouthport Rattan Cube Setssouthport Rattan Bistro Setssouthport Chimeneassouthport Firepitssouthport Patio Heaterssouthport North West Bookkeeping Servicessouthport Bookkeeping Servicessouthport Bookkeepersouthport Self Assessmentsouthport Small Business Helpsouthport Card Payments Processingsouthport Credit Card Processingsouthport Merchant Servicessouthport Merchant Accountsouthport Merchant Paymentssouthport Card Machinessouthport Card Terminalssouthport Online Paymentssouthport Worldpaysouthport Bouncy Castlessouthport Bouncy Castle Hiresouthport Garden Trampolinessouthport Pramssouthport Pushchairssouthport Strollerssouthport Hauck Pramssouthport Huacksouthport Childrens Trampolinessouthport Baby Mobilessouthport Baby Activity Matssouthport Baby Bedroom Furnituresouthport Childrens Bedroom Furnituresouthport Hygiene Vendingsouthport Washroom Vendingsouthport Air Freshenerssouthport Air Caresouthport Aerosol Systemssouthport Gel Systemssouthport Water Savingsouthport Urinal Water Savingsouthport Eco Capssouthport Sensaflushsouthport Water Managementsouthport Urinal Dosingsouthport Urinal V Screenssouthport Legionella Risk Assessmentsouthport Legionaires Bacterialsouthport Odour Controlsouthport Odour Eliminationsouthport Odour Removalsouthport Airsterilsouthport Hand Caresouthport Hand Creamsouthport Hand Soapsouthport Hand Washingsouthport Hand Dryingsouthport Hand Dryerssouthport Electric Hand Dryerssouthport Fast Hand Dryerssouthport Commercial Hand Dryerssouthport Energy Efficient Hand Dryerssouthport Hand Dryer Rentalsouthport Hand Dryer Salessouthport Paper Towelssouthport Roller Towelssouthport Cotton Roller Towelssouthport Blue Roller Towelssouthport White Roller Towelssouthport Janitorial Suppliessouthport Janitorialsouthport Cleaning Suppliessouthport Cleaning Productssouthport Cleaning Equipmentsouthport Office Cleaningsouthport Home Cleaningsouthport Accountantssouthport Accountancysouthport Accountssouthport Auditssouthport Bookkeepingsouthport Management Accountssouthport VAT Returnssouthport Business Planningsouthport Cash Flow Planningsouthport Payrollsouthport Pension Reformsouthport Business Start Upsouthport Company Formationssouthport Tax Advicesouthport Tax Investigationsouthport Company Lawsouthport Outsource FDdsouthport Debt Recovery Helpsouthport CIS Subcontractor Servicesouthport Software Selectionsouthport Sage Accountssouthport Debt Recovery Servicessouthport Debt Recoverysouthport Debt Collectionsouthport Outsource Credit Controlsouthport Collection Agencysouthport Debt Collection Agencysouthport Commercial Canopysouthport Steel Canopysouthport Bike Shedssouthport Bike Storagesouthport Bicycle Storesouthport Bicycle Storagesouthport Bikes Storesouthport Bike Storesouthport Outdoor Canopysouthport Cycle Shelterssouthport Cycle Shedsouthport Cycle Storagesouthport Cycle Racksouthport Cycle Compoundsouthport Cycle Solutionssouthport Scooter Storagesouthport Scooter Sheltersouthport Canopiessouthport Canopysouthport Play Area Canopysouthport Entrance Canopiessouthport Entrance Canopysouthport Waiting Sheltersouthport Smoking Sheltersouthport Parent Waiting Sheltersouthport Parent Sheltersouthport Teen Sheltersouthport Nursery Canopysouthport School Canopysouthport Play Canopysouthport Envirolawnsouthport Astroturfsouthport Cheap Astroturfsouthport Artificial Grasssouthport Cheap Artificial Grasssouthport Astro Turfsouthport Artificial Lawnsouthport Fake Grasssouthport Fake Lawnsouthport Fire Stove Glasssouthport Heat Resistant Glasssouthport Fire Glasssouthport Stove Glasssouthport Fire Resistant Glasssouthport Replacement Stove Glasssouthport Glass For Stovessouthport Spill Kitssouthport Spill Control Kitssouthport Spill Kit Refillssouthport Spill Kit Refill GK6southport Chemical Spill Kitssouthport Oil Spill Kitssouthport Solar Panelssouthport Solar Panels Costsouthport Solar Heatingsouthport Solar PVsouthport Commercial Solarsouthport Photovoltaicsouthport Dust Matssouthport Entrance Matssouthport Reception Matssouthport Anti Fatigue Matssouthport Floor Matssouthport Logo Matssouthport Washroom Servicessouthport Principal Washroomssouthport Washrooms Suppliessouthport Washrooms Solutionssouthport Sanitary Disposalsouthport Sanitary Binssouthport Sani Binssouthport Lady Binssouthport Feminine Hygiene Unitssouthport Sanitary Waste Disposalsouthport Sanitary Wastesouthport Sanitary Unitssouthport Feminine Unitssouthport Hygiene Servicessouthport Sanitary Bin Suppliersouthport Sanitary Bin Rentalsouthport Sanitary Bin Rental Servicessouthport General Wastesouthport Trade Wastesouthport Commercial Wastesouthport Business Wastesouthport Waste Managementsouthport Waste Collectionsouthport Cardboard Wastesouthport Paper Wastesouthport Plastic Wastesouthport Glass Wastesouthport Biomass Wastesouthport Metal Wastesouthport Confidential Wastesouthport Confidential Waste Servicesouthport On Site Shreddingsouthport Off Site Shreddingsouthport One Off Shreddingsouthport Contract Shreddingsouthport Dental Wastesouthport Dental Waste Disposalsouthport Dental Waste Legislationsouthport Dental Waste Compliancesouthport Accupuncture Wastesouthport Accupuncture Waste Disposalsouthport Accupuncture Waste Collectionsouthport Tattoo Wastesouthport Tattoo Waste Disposalsouthport Sharps Binsouthport Sharps Collectionsouthport Hazardous Sharpssouthport Non Hazardous Sharpssouthport Cytotoxic Sharpssouthport Cytostatic Sharpssouthport Ink Blocksouthport Wet_Wastesouthport Tattoo Inksouthport Drug Destructionsouthport Drug Disposalsouthport Drug Denaturingsouthport Unwanted Drugssouthport Out Of Date Drugssouthport Pest Controlsouthport Rodent Controlsouthport Bird Controlsouthport Bird Proofingsouthport Guano Controlsouthport Pest Call Outsouthport Pest Preventionsouthport Pest Deterrentsouthport Nursery Wastesouthport Nappy Wastesouthport Nappy Binsouthport Nappy Disposalsouthport Nappy Wheelie Binsouthport Nursery Waste Disposalsouthport Nursery Waste Collectionsouthport Incontinence Padssouthport Offensive Wastesouthport Human Wastesouthport Nursing Home Wastesouthport Care Home Wastesouthport Hazardous Wastesouthport Infectous Wastesouthport Pharmaceutical Wastesouthport Medicinal Wastesouthport Medicine Wastesouthport Infection Controlsouthport Hand Sanitiserssouthport Clinical Waste Disposalsouthport Clinical Waste Managementsouthport Clinical Waste Policysouthport EA Registrationsouthport Hammockssouthport Garden Hammockssouthport Adult Hammockssouthport Childrens Hammockssouthport Baby Hammocks