Bombshell

Official Australian release date: 16/1/20. Viewed: 5/2/20.

Director: Jay Roach

Actors: Charlize Theron, Margot Robbie, Nicole Kidman, John Lithgow

Genre: Drama  

Rating: M

  

  

‘Bombshell’ is a ‘based on a (recent) true story’ film, along the lines of ‘The Big Short’ (not too surprising, since it has the same writer) or ‘Spotlight’. But oddly, it’s from the director of ‘Austin Powers’, ‘Meet The Parents’ and ‘The Campaign’! Given the subject matter, it’s not really funny, but is still a gripping story. Megyn Kelly (Theron), Gretchen Carlson (Kidman) and Kayla Pospisil (Robbie) all work for Fox News in 2016, a workplace ripe with sexism, discrimination and harassment.

As the saying goes, “the fish rots from the head down” – in this case, Roger Ailes (Lithgow) is the head of Fox News and is initially accused by Gretchen for sexual harassment, setting in motion a chain of events which could go either way, as no other women initially come forward with similar stories. The scene with Ailes and Kayla is truly disturbing and hard to watch. Credit to Lithgow for making Ailes an almost-sympathetic character at times and not just an evil caricature. Robbie’s great as the naïve Kayla, Kidman’s good in her limited scenes, McKinnon is funny and nuanced as Kayla’s friend and Theron carries the film, especially as she grapples with what to do with her career on the line.  

An exceptional group of supporting actors make it interesting and fast-paced – Delany as Megyn’s producer, Britton as Ailes’ wife, Janney as the lawyer, Duplass as Megyn’s husband, Kind as Giuliani, Root as the other lawyer, McDowell as Rupert Murdoch, and Josh/Ben Lawson as James/Lachlan Murdoch. Certainly not a ‘fun’ film, but it’s well acted, filmed and put together. Ending could’ve used a little work, but is arguably still a work in progress even today.

Overall: Solid biopic with great cast.

Gav's Rating: 3.5 stars.