I, Tonya is at Redbox; Spoiler

[Query]

If you waited til it was cheap, "I, Tonya" (about Tonya Harding) is at Redbox, as a DVD.

Warning: The next post in this thread is somewhat of a spoiler, a little about the movie, and more about Tonya's run on Dancing with the Stars.

[Query]

I once promised myself I wouldn't watch the movie, because we've all heard more than enough about the story, but at the cost of a Redbox rental, I decided it was worth it:

  https://www.redbox.com/ondemand-movies/i-tonya

The movie is described as a "Dark Comedy", though I don't understand what makes it a comedy.

I think Tonya asked that her story be told from her point of view, in her own words. And it was. But that wasn't the only point of view present, and some issues are left open.

I'm sorry to say that I ended up with a less positive image of her than I had before. At the very least, I believe she failed to show good sportsmanship.

Instead of doing self-destructive things like women's boxing, right after the scandal, I still wonder if she could have made a living as a coach - not within the USFSA, which banned her, but elsewhere, perhaps out of the country.

The movie has done well, but from various reports, Tonya only got about $1500 for it.

However, on her recent run on Dancing with the Stars, the public, and the judges, treated her somewhat sympathetically. BTW, she showed a surprising amount of grace on that show, though she had to compete with younger and more fit recent Olympic athletes. She earned more money from that show, reportedly $125,000 just to sign on. It seems like her reputation is being somewhat redeemed in the public eye.

If the DVD rental is too high, perhaps in a couple years you will be able to see the movie for free on network television.

[icedancer]

I thought I would go see it and then I saw it was on Redbox - THEN I checked my local library and put a hold on it - I haven't heard from them yet since I was hold #589 on 125 copies LOL.  I will get to keep it for 3 weeks!

Of course this is in Portland, OR

I am friends with her coaches and a lot of the people around her that are portrayed in the movie so I am curious to see how they are portrayed.

I got really sick of her story on DWTS "America Loves me" - Oh please.

She rocked the house with her dancing though - there is no doubt that there is talent there.

[FigureSpins]

Does your library offer online streaming of videos?  Mine does, but there are few copies, however, very few people use the service.

It's funny: when I want a new book, I'm always way down on the ebook list, but the paper copy list is always shorter.

[Query]

Clarification: I'm not sure that all the words used in the movie by the the actress were Tonya's, nor that she approved them in detail.

Perhaps those whose libraries don't provide the video, could get together with other ADULT skaters and rent the video together?

While it is true that some of the most popular figure skating movies of all time have portrayed actions that weren't all sweetness and light, I don't think a skating club with young members should buy this R-rated movie for inclusion in their library, nor will enough young children be allowed to watch it to create an upsurge of new young figure skaters. I wouldn't play it in a library or in another place where young eyes and ears can see and hear it.

Anyway, watching the movie isn't essential to enjoying or practicing the art of figure skating.

P.S. I wouldn't worry that her coaches will be hurt by the movie - I think they were portrayed in a more positive light than anyone else, including Tonya herself.

[Query]

Off topic, but it was MY topic :

On DWTS, I noticed that the (American style) football player became a pretty good dancer, and the moderators indicated that other football players have been too.

That was partly raw strength, but what is it about football that could grant grace in dance, or the ability to learn dance moves quickly? Do any of you know football players who skate well too?

[alejeather]

I've not known any skating footballers, but I think that it may be the agility that football requires that can be a helpful building block for football players learning to dance.

[dlbritton]

Regarding footballer players and skating. It probably depends on the position the player has. I do not play football myself and am speculating somewhat.
Quarter backs and receivers need to be very agile so they would probably do well. Blockers and linemen are probably less agile and might struggle.

I know from teaching skiing , the big beefy guys on the line have lots of strength, especially in their legs, but struggle with fine movements needed for skiing well, so I am sure they would struggle on skates. I have had several first timers that were unable to make a wedge/snowplow so we just teach a different , but slightly more challenging technique.

[AgnesNitt]

I was stuck on an airplane without headphones, so I had to watch I,Tonya without sound. The actress who did Diane Rawlinson did a really good job. Without sound I had to focus on her expession and it was very subtle what she was thinkng. Very coach like.

[Query]

Regarding footballer players and skating. It probably depends on the position the player has. I do not play football myself and am speculating somewhat.
Quarter backs and receivers need to be very agile so they would probably do well. Blockers and linemen are probably less agile and might struggle.

I know from teaching skiing , the big beefy guys on the line have lots of strength, especially in their legs, but struggle with fine movements needed for skiing well, so I am sure they would struggle on skates. I have had several first timers that were unable to make a wedge/snowplow so we just teach a different , but slightly more challenging technique.

The footballer in question, Josh Norman, is a 200 pound (90.7 kg) Cornerback, a defensive position that Wikipedia says requires speed and agility. Footballers who have done well on DTWS have included other defensive players.

I guess professional (American) football is an extremely competitive athletic profession, and that some of the players are all around athletes who are used to training long and hard. Also, they aren't necessarily world class dancers on a professional level: I assume that on DWTS they only competed against others who hadn't been professional dancers.

Incidentally world class women's rugby player (another rough and tumble sport) Carolyn McEwen was a nationally ranked Canadian pairs skater.

For that matter, while I assume Tonya herself wasn't a world class boxer, she made some money in that very rough sport.

So - apparently some rough sport participants can dance or skate too. Now that I think of it, ballet exercises have been used to train some football players, though it's hard to picture a big running back doing ballet. Perhaps some allowance for bulk is needed, and pointing is optional? And there has been crossover between hockey and figure skating, even in the movies.