The Ice King (2018)
A Quick Film Review
Innsbruck 1976 figure skating champion John Curry passed away on April 15, 1994. At only age 44, his passing came too early and at a downward turn in his once-shining life. The at-turns glorious and tragic career is captured poignantly in 2018's documentary by James Erskine's The Ice King.
A Quick Film Review
Innsbruck 1976 figure skating champion John Curry passed away on April 15, 1994. At only age 44, his passing came too early and at a downward turn in his once-shining life. The at-turns glorious and tragic career is captured poignantly in 2018's documentary by James Erskine's The Ice King.
Inspired by the 2014 biography Alone: The Triumph and Tragedy of John Curry by Bill Jones, The Ice King takes us briskly through Curry's remarkable life. Similar to Jones' work, what struck me most during the film is a prevalent tone of sadness, appropriately underscoring the inner turmoil that seemed to always shadow Curry.
As a boy, he struggled with a relationship with his father, who discouraged Curry's interest in dance, yet found skating a close alternative - acceptable to his father as it could be viewed as a sport. As he progressed in skill and recognition, he was determined to bring more artistry into skating, going against the prevailing grain of how a masculine skater should perform. Also working against a Cold War-era judging system that often subjugated superior skaters at the expense of politics, he finally broke through with the 1976 European Championship, setting him up for his Olympic win the following month at Innsbruck.
As a boy, he struggled with a relationship with his father, who discouraged Curry's interest in dance, yet found skating a close alternative - acceptable to his father as it could be viewed as a sport. As he progressed in skill and recognition, he was determined to bring more artistry into skating, going against the prevailing grain of how a masculine skater should perform. Also working against a Cold War-era judging system that often subjugated superior skaters at the expense of politics, he finally broke through with the 1976 European Championship, setting him up for his Olympic win the following month at Innsbruck.
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