Films based on true stories are typically rife with strife, tragedy, scandal, catastrophes or some other negative concept to further reinforce to each other that we are either out to 'get' each other or how we can make a certain situation better by accusation. Many films are based on these concepts, and "Bombshell" is no exception.
Based on the real scandal in 2016, this is a revealing expose inside the most powerful and controversial media empire of all time; Fox News, and the explosive story of the women, namely Megyn Kelly (Charlize Theron), Gretchen Carlson (Nicole Kidman) and Kayla Pospisil (Margot Robbie) who brought down the infamous man, Roger Ailes (John Lithgow) who ran it with an iron fist.
Apparently these women were looking at different aspects within Fox News considering there experience, but their desire to grow in this field was universal. However when they had meetings with Ailes, their claim was that he made them feel outright inferior and he acted extremely inappropriate. So, out of desperation, they each sought legal counsel, Ailes, with Susan Estrich (Allison Janney) and Gretchen Carlson, with Neil Mullen (Stephen Root), while Kayla Pospisil leaned on Jess Carr (Kate McKinnon) for a shoulder to cry on.
Others to round out the cast are Malcolm McDowell as Rupert Murdoch, owner of Fox News, Connie Britton as Beth Ailes, Liv Newson as Lily Balin, Bridgette Lundy-Paine as Julia Clarke, Mark Duplass as Doug Brunt, Rob Delaney as Gil Norman, Mark Moses as Bill Shine, Holland Taylor as Faye, Ben Lawson as Lachlan Murdoch and Josh Lawson as James Murdoch.
This was rivetingly directed by veteran Jay Roach ("Zoo Radio" '90, "Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery" '97, "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me" '99, "Mystery, Alaska" '99, :Meet the Parents" 2000, "Austin Powers in Goldmember" '02, "Meet the Fockers" '04, "Recount" (TV movie) '08, "Dinner for Schmucks" '10, "Game Change" (TV movie) '12, "The Campaign" '12, "Trumbo" '15, "All the Way" (TV movie) '16) plus TV. Certainly the genre of comedy is where this filmmaker has graced us with his work, however there have been a number of dramas where he has exceled as well, including "Trumbo" and this film. I have tremendous admiration for this director, as I would any director, for shifting his creative talent to different genres--it shows us that he is able and willing to think outside the box. These characters were calculating, while being vulnerable, however not by choice. It was creatively written by Charles Randolph ("The Life of David Gale" '03, "The Interpreter" '05, "Love & Other Drugs" '10, "The Wonderful Maladys (TV movie) '10, "The Missionary" (TV movie) '13, "The Big Short" '15, "Exposed" (TV movie) '15). Although this film was written well as far as a structured screenplay, it obviously is bias, which, given the subject matter, is a difficult challenge to keep objective...but not impossible. There were a couple of places of choppiness when the script was going back to 2006, and then again to the present--in this case 2016, show that it could've been delineated a bit better.
I usually don't get involved in politics--I actually hate then considering how much they pit people against one another, but, no matter which side of the aisle one comes from, the major international news stations are all bias, condescending, and provide the 'facts' according to their their political beliefs and then pander to their audience which want to hear what they want to hear. Mind you, this is truly done because it will increase ratings which in turn, increases revenue. And we know it's all bout the money. This pattern holds true with Fox News, CCN and MSNBC! Nuff said!
If you're a political junkie and are a survivor of workplace harassment or even know of someone who comes from this kind of situation, this will ring true, but even not, the direction and certain performances from Theron, Lithgow and Kidman should be enough to woo you to the multiplex.
Out of 4 Stars: 3 Rated: R 108mins.
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