Year of Release: 2019
Director: Jay Roach
Starring: Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman, Margot Robbie, John Lithgow, Kate McKinnon, Connie Britton, Allison Janey, Rob Delaney, Mark Duplass, Malcolm McDowell, Liv Hewson, Stephen Root, Robin Weigert, Amy Landecker, Brigette Lundy-Paine, Mark Moses, Ben Lawson, Alanna Ubach, Josh Lawson, Andy Buckley, Brooke Smith, Ashley Greene, Jennifer Morrison, Bree Condon, Richard Kind, Anne Ramsay, Alice Eve, Tricia Helfer, Madeline Zima, Eric Zuckerman
Genre: Drama
Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 7
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Synopsis and Review:
"Bombshell" which had a somewhat convoluted path to the screen, is a fascinating view into the world of corporate malfeasance, permissive and untapped harassment, and ultimately how women's roles are marginalized and nearly crushed when going against the establishment. Director Jay Roach who started his career with some very successful comedies (including "Austin Powers" and "Meet the Parents"), has since then shifted his career into features with a decidedly stronger political viewpoint. "Bombshell" follows the story of a trio of women, reporters Megyn Kelly, Gretchen Carlson and a young professional by the name of Kayla Pospisil, all of whom work for Fox News in 2016, when the story takes place. The newsroom is dominated by the figure of Roger Ailes, who started Fox News back in 1996, after being hired by Rupert Murdoch, and a lengthy career in Political Consulting and TV. The story drops us in the midst of a whirlwind of events, with Megyn Kelly weathering the vicious comments of a Presidential contender, Gretchen Carlson dealing with Roger's cold shoulder, therefore being snubbed from high visibility shows, for a less desirable time slot on the channel, and Kayla, the rookie, with all her ambition, wanting to be in front of the cameras, while simultaneously yearning to grab Roger's attention. When Gretchen is fired, she starts a revolution by revealing she had been harassed by Roger, prompting a lot more women to slowly come out of hiding and reveal their own stories.
"Bombshell" is a smartly written film, from the penmanship of Charles Randolph, who also wrote Adam McKay's "The Big Short" and Sydney Pollack's "The Interpreter", to name but a few. The film manages to deftly mix facts and fiction, to create a compelling narrative of unbridled malfeasance within an organization, which for all intents, was being run without control, all at the mercy of someone who took advantage of a position of power, to undermine and gain sexual favors over others. It's a dramatic view at how the lack of education, scruples and maturity, when running amok, allows for individuals in positions of power, to prey on others, who simply want to continue climbing their career path and fulfill their ambitions. It's also a testament to the resilience of women, the disturbing scenarios and their ramifications, that emerge from these harassment cases. The shame, the secrecy, the pain that is carried within, all the while, being professional in a world that simply ignores their voices. While the film doesn't necessarily portray the leading characters in all their colorful aspects, it's nonetheless a powerful depiction of some truly grotesque behaviors. Charlize Theron is once again fantastic, the same going for Nicole Kidman, John Lithgow, Kate McKinnon and the remainder of the cast. Worth watching.
"Bombshell" is a smartly written film, from the penmanship of Charles Randolph, who also wrote Adam McKay's "The Big Short" and Sydney Pollack's "The Interpreter", to name but a few. The film manages to deftly mix facts and fiction, to create a compelling narrative of unbridled malfeasance within an organization, which for all intents, was being run without control, all at the mercy of someone who took advantage of a position of power, to undermine and gain sexual favors over others. It's a dramatic view at how the lack of education, scruples and maturity, when running amok, allows for individuals in positions of power, to prey on others, who simply want to continue climbing their career path and fulfill their ambitions. It's also a testament to the resilience of women, the disturbing scenarios and their ramifications, that emerge from these harassment cases. The shame, the secrecy, the pain that is carried within, all the while, being professional in a world that simply ignores their voices. While the film doesn't necessarily portray the leading characters in all their colorful aspects, it's nonetheless a powerful depiction of some truly grotesque behaviors. Charlize Theron is once again fantastic, the same going for Nicole Kidman, John Lithgow, Kate McKinnon and the remainder of the cast. Worth watching.
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