I, Tonya

As the title I Tonya suggests, the infamous Harding was the key witness to the most bizarre period of professional ice skating history, and anyone watching this film should prepare to hear her version of the truth to that story.

Hollywood starlet Margot Robbie disappears into the role of Harding, an athletic performer who never fit into the mold of ice skating princess. It's why she was too often compared to competitor Nancy Kerrigan, and it's why we root for this "white trash" underdog throughout this film.

More than a TV story of the week, it's a crafted comedy with some serious subjects. Harding was a victim of abuse by her mother, her husband, and us, as the film is clear to point out while wagging its finger at the audience. I,Tonya simultaneously asks us to root for this American athlete with the raw skills to be a champion, while begging us to laugh at her life and the people who surrounded her. It's a confusing space for the viewer.

Director Craig Gillespie shot this film as if it's a documentary, which did make me wish I was watching one. While full of strong performances and guilt-filled laughs, it's an enjoyable but slight film.

In a nutshell: An entertaining but forgettable film, where a documentary would have been just fine.

Award potential: The mother-daughter performances will bot be rewarded with nominations, but I don't predict much else for Oscars. Allison Janney, as Tonya's mom LaVona steals every scene she's in. Her over-the-top performance will be in a tight race with a quieter (and more touching) mother-daughter performance, Laurie Metcalf's performance in Lady Bird.

The Ten Buck Review: It's a wild story. Worth ten bucks.