bombshell
★★★
DIRECTOR: Jay Roach (trumbo, austin power: international man of mystery)
STARRING: nicole kidman, charlize theron, margot robbie and john lithgow
REVIEWER: emily carter
A group of women take on Fox News head Roger Ailes and the toxic atmosphere he presided over at the network.
The truth behind Bombshell is what truly hurts, but it's not just the story that follows you home after the credits.
Based on the true story of the downfall of Fox News CEO Roger Ailes after allegations of his sexual misconduct come to light in 2016. This Fox story was at the beginning of the #MeToo movement and sparked a new discussion worldwide.
Starring the thrilling trio of Nicole Kidman, Charlize Theron and Margot Robbie, Bombshell packs some serious punch in the acting department. These women show us all sides and experiences of a woman with their workplace experiences - the fear, hurt, humiliation and grit. I can't fault any one of them and what they brought to the film.
The storytelling I found to be incredibly unique. Splicing real photos, voice and footage along with the movie scenes and actors made for a creative way to remind us how real and impactful this story is. There's an especially profound scene using real faces and stories of women in Ailes' past that is especially haunting.
The story is told with a lot of subtlety and grace, however at some points perhaps too subtle. It sometimes feels a little softly-softly to the point where you miss some gripping detail. But it does also add realism to the narrative rather than relying too heavily on the dramatics.
A powerful cast paired with a powerful story, Bombshell will suckerpunch you and leave you pondering on the state of it all today.