This week’s DVD picks: I, Tonya, Black Panther, Dark River, Birth Of The Dragon and Finding Your Feet
Dark humour with Olympian Tonya's Harding's slippery slide from grace, the superhero blockbuster Black Panther, Dark River's bleak drama set in rural Yorkshire, a Bruce Lee tribute that fails to hit home and feelgood fun in Finding your Feet
I, Tonya
(15) Out June 25
PLENTY of dark humour makes this biopic centring on Olympic ice-skater Tonya Harding and her fall from grace surprisingly entertaining.
We follow the talented youngster’s rise from her first forays aged four under the steely direction of her bullying mum, through her battle against the US skating establishment and her dysfunctional relationship with husband Jeff, to her downfall when embroiled in the infamous attack on her rival Nancy Kerrigan.
Margot Robbie ably brings “redneck” Tonya to life, with months of hard graft (aided by camera wizardry) producing mesmerising routines on the ice ‑ even if trying to pass herself off as initially 15 years old is skating on thin ice.
But it is Allison Janney as hard-drinking chain-smoking mum LaVona - gifted some brilliant lines by writer Steven Rogers - that makes this film. No wonder she bagged four gongs for it, including an Oscar.
Apt backing track “Devil Woman” signals LaVona’s arrival in the film, in which she is portrayed as the antithesis of a loving mum, stretching tough love past breaking point with foul-mouthed tirades escalating into physical violence.
During one flare-up she lobs a knife at Tonya, stabbing her in the arm, then dismisses it with a deadpan: “Oh please! Show me a family that doesn’t have ups and downs.”
The tale is interspersed with “to camera” dialogue from key characters airing their recollections. At other times their differing viewpoints form part of the action – Jeff attacking wife Tonya then claiming “I never hit her”, Tonya blasting a gun at Jeff, then shouting “I never did this!” And yet the story slips along as smoothly as the controversial ice star herself.
Definitely not to be missed.
★★★★★
Kathy Bell
Black Panther
(12) Out now
The Black Panther comic strip made history in 1966 when saw a black man take centre-stage for the first time in the superhero world.
More than 50 years later, this unassuming character from the Stark-er (get it?) corners of the Marvel Universe deservedly took the world by storm when it became the highest-grossing superhero movie ever.
Even those who don't care for the genre will be forced to sit up and take notice here.
Chadwick Boseman is immense in the lead role of T'Challa, a prince thrust in charge of his secretive but technologically advanced African country, Wakanda, while Michael B. Jordan, as his enemy Erik Killmonger, arguably steals the show.
The inventive world-building and memorable characters, especially T'Challa's smart alec sister Shuri (Letitia Wright) make this a must-watch. Wakanda forever!
★★★★☆
Ray Dyer
Dark River
(15) Out June 25
THIS bleak drama charts the return of a travelling sheep-shearer called Alice to the family farm in Yorkshire, after 15 years away following the death of her father
It’s an emotional trek as haunted Alice (played by Ruth Wilson) battles against inner demons – and her increasingly resentful brother Joe (Mark Stanley).
Flashbacks reveal the sinister reason for her disappearing and leaving Joe to cope with both the farm and caring for their sick dad (Sean Bean) – and why she missed his funeral.
Undertones of anger and guilt make this far from a relaxing watch, though given Alice’s traumatic past that’s little surprise.
But as emotions come to a head, and the film takes a dramatic turn, we see that perhaps there is a glimmer of hope.
A tense storyline and stellar performances but sombre viewing.
★★★☆☆
Kathy Bell
Birth Of The Dragon
(12) Out now
Not the greatest depiction of the legend that is Bruce Lee and - more importantly - not very timely either.
Kung-fu is as out-of-season as fidget spinners right now, although some of the action scenes may keep you glued for a while.
Philip Ng is likeable as Lee - and even passably convincing despite him being nearly twice the age of the man he is playing.
But the Lee swagger and plenty of creative licence doesn’t do enough to rescue it.
One-inch punch this one away!
★★☆☆☆
Ray Dyer
MOST READ IN FILM
Finding Your Feet
(12) Out June 25
FEELGOOD fun sweeps you along in this lesson in living life to the full.
Imelda Staunton is brilliant as haughty well-to-do wife Lady Sandra Abbott, who is looking forward to spending her golden years with her police chief hubby, only to learn at his retirement bash that he’s cheating with her pal.
She flees her huge suburban home to stay at her estranged sister Bif’s tiny north London flat, and soon finds her unquenchable zest for life infectious.
Dragged out to a community dance group by the Bohemian Bif – a flawless Celia Imrie - Sandra begins to find her true self again, aided by pals including an endearing Timothy Spall as Charlie and a surprisingly short spell for the stellar Joanna Lumley as serial divorcee Jackie.
Throughout the film Staunton deftly portrays the mix of emotions – vulnerability, hurt, anger - brought about by the affair and Sandra’s transformation as her barriers gradually come down.
Standout scenes include Sandra’s hilariously cathartic treatment of her cheating hubby’s tennis silverware and the flash-mob sequence that wins the team an invite to a dance festival in Rome.
An enjoyable caper.
★★★★☆
Kathy Bell