I, Tonya

Main Plot

I, Tonya is a biographical film that chronicles the life of figure skater Tonya Harding, focusing on her rise to fame and the controversies surrounding her career. The story unfolds through a mix of interviews and flashbacks, revealing Tonya's challenging upbringing and her tumultuous relationship with her mother, who pushes her to excel in skating. As Tonya becomes a competitive figure skater, she faces constant scrutiny and criticism, particularly due to her working-class background and unconventional style. The film delves into the infamous incident involving her rival Nancy Kerrigan, which leads to a scandal that rocks the figure skating world. Through its portrayal of Tonya's struggles with personal relationships, media portrayal, and the pressures of competition, the film examines themes of ambition, resilience, and the impact of societal expectations on women in sports.

Characters

• Margot Robbie plays Tonya Harding, a competitive figure skater embroiled in a scandal involving an attack on her rival, Nancy Kerrigan, which impacts her career and personal life.
• Sebastian Stan plays Jeff Gillooly, Tonya Harding's ex-husband, who is involved in the infamous attack on her skating rival, Nancy Kerrigan.
• Allison Janney plays LaVona Golden, Tonya Harding's abusive and controlling mother, whose harsh treatment significantly impacts Tonya's life and skating career.

Ending Explained

In the ending of I, Tonya, the narrative culminates in the aftermath of the infamous attack on Nancy Kerrigan, which was orchestrated by Tonya Harding's ex-husband and his associates. The film presents a blend of documentary-style interviews and dramatized events, leading to the revelation of the consequences faced by Tonya. After the attack, Tonya's life spirals out of control as she becomes embroiled in the scandal, facing public backlash and legal troubles. Ultimately, Tonya is banned from figure skating for life, and her career is effectively over. The film closes with Tonya reflecting on her tumultuous life, emphasizing themes of resilience and the impact of her abusive upbringing. The narrative resolves the main conflict of Tonya's struggle for acceptance and success in a sport that was often hostile towards her. The ending highlights the complexities of her character, showcasing her vulnerability and the societal pressures she faced. It leaves viewers contemplating the nature of blame and the harsh realities of fame, as Tonya's story becomes a cautionary tale about ambition, abuse, and the pursuit of the American Dream.