Bombshell
Starring: Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman, Margot Robbie
Directed By: Jay Roach
Rated: R
Before I even get to the details of this review, I should say: Bombshell is a story that needs to be told. The women depicted in this film should speak out and deserve for their voices to be heard by the world. While watching, I thought about women everywhere, not just the workers at Fox News, but Harvey Weinstein’s victims, Matt Lauer’s victims, R. Kelly’s victims, and the millions of women who suffer in silence every single day without a platform to speak out about the abuse they suffer. The behavior on display in Bombshell is not a situation that is only exclusive to Fox News, but an all-too-painful reality that haunts women everywhere. Something has to be done to change it.
Bombshell explores the toxic workplace environment created at Fox News by the powerful CEO Roger Ailes. (played menacingly by John Lithgow) Highlighting the stories of Megan Kelly, Gretchen Carlson, and fictional character Kayla Pospisil, the film shows us the powerful and emotional journey of 3 career-oriented women who have suffered from disturbingly similar abusive patterns at the hands of a monster.
I won’t sugar coat it; Bombshell is very difficult to watch. I felt enraged sitting through this movie. The notion that any person: man or woman, could feel entitled to exploit and abuse others with no remorse disgusts me. Most women have experienced some form of sexism, whether it be in the workplace or everyday life. I think that’s what makes this film so sickening. We can all relate to it on some level. I have not come even close to the horrors perceived in this film, but all women have a story to tell. Whether it’s a stranger in a restaurant or a boss who feels you are their property. It doesn’t matter the context; sexual harassment is abhorrent and inexcusable behavior.
Director Jay Roach tells the story of Bombshell with a current “hot off the presses” filmmaking style. I know that I make comparisons all-too-frequently, but there’s an apparent influence from Adam McKay’s The Big Short at play here. From the ripped from the headlines storyline to the characters frequently breaking the fourth wall, you’ll understand what I mean if you see the movie. Roach manages to bring his style to the film in some of the most harrowing moments, and the results are intriguing. At times, the editing can be a little sloppy jumping from each storyline, but the core plot is engaging. I appreciate that Roach takes the viewpoints of 3 different career women in different life stages: Kayla is at the beginning of her career trying to make a name for herself, Megyn is the star at the height of fame, and Gretchen’s career is on the decline because she dares to speak her mind. All three have a uniquely different story, yet the harassment they endure binds them together.
The film relies on the leading performances of its three stars, Charlize Theron, Margot Robbie, and Nicole Kidman. Theron is the anchor of the film as Megan Kelly. I’m stunned that this is Charlize Theron. A lot of actresses put on makeup and look the part, but Charlize Theron adopts a whole different voice! I thought I was listening to Megyn Kelly talk. How did she do it? This is one of those portrayals that you have to see to believe because I still don’t know how that wasn’t Megan Kelly. Let’s get some Oscar buzz going! There’s no doubt Kelly has been a controversial figure, regardless of your political opinion. However, Theron plays her as a strong leader who happens to be caught in the worst year of her life. Between the Donald Trump feud and Roger Ailes's claims, Kelly tries to find a way to keep the career that she’s worked tirelessly for and stop an abusive tyrant from preying on fellow employees. Theron brings a humanization to Kelly that makes you look past the TV persona and see the human being.
Nicole Kidman does not look exactly like Gretchen Carlson, but she plays the part engaging the audience as the former Miss America winner turned TV host. Gretchen hosts her afternoon show where she speaks her mind. However, Roger Ailes wastes no time lambasting her opinions and screaming at her for being “a woman in menopause.” She has clear evidence that she’s the victim of age and sex discrimination. Gretchen is the first woman to sue Ailes in the ultimate bold move. This is a strong and emotional performance with Kidman hitting all the right beats. You know if anyone can take on Roger Ailes, she can.
Margot Robbie is Kayla Pospisil, a fictional character with a wide-eyed innocence who works at Fox behind-the-scenes and climbs the ranks to try and get on TV. Kayla lives and breathes Fox News but soon finds there’s a dark underbelly to the world of TV. It’s a haunting portrayal marked with sadness and fear. Robbie is heartbreaking in each passing scene, slowly becoming jaded with the state of her once glimmering bright future. While I find Robbie’s performance to be affecting, it does bother me that her character is fictional. There are so many women who can speak out on sexual harassment in the workplace. At least 20 women have come forward with harassment claims against Ailes. Why not just put one of their stories in the spotlight? It makes the film feel too ”Hollywood” when you realize one of the power players leading the pack is fictional.
There will be a lot of buzz surrounding Bombshell and its leading characters. With the “Me Too” movement a heavily publicized topic of discussion, this is a film that leads itself to significant conversation. At the core, its message is one about women’s voices. Can we listen to the women speaking up for themselves and treat them as equals to the men in charge?
Bombshell is a challenging but important film to watch. It may not stick the landing in every technical aspect, but it sure does challenge its audience with some hard truths about women in society.
My Rating: 7/10