She Said
review by Bobby Blakey
One of the most-long delayed and much needed change in Hollywood (and the world in general) regarding sexual misconduct came after a couple of reporters exposed numerous big wigs in the industry. Now I’m Your Man director Maria Schrader is shining a light on the story with her film She Said starring Carey Mulligan, Zoe Kazan, Patricia Clarkson, and Andre Braugher. Does this film do this important movement of change justice or will it fail to make it to print?
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She Said follows New York Times reporters Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor who break one of the most important stories in a generation - a story that helped ignite a movement and shattered decades of silence around the subject of sexual assault in Hollywood.
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Like most I knew the story as the news told it after it all exploded, but never knew the beginning of it all. Heading in I hadn’t seen any trailers for this and while I knew what it was about I honestly didn’t realize it was the Harvey Weinstein case that broke the dam on it all. Seeing this play out in real time as it happened was insane enough, but getting to see the reporter’s side of it gave a different perspective that I think makes its revelation so much more impactful.
Seeing these two woman fight against a powerful person like Weinstein and the unwarranted threats they received was insane. It showcases not only their true fight and dedication to get the truth out, but also how ridiculously powerful Weinstein was. Both Mulligan and Kazan are both great here bringing to life these exceptional woman as they unearth the truth about Hollywood’s long kept secret about the powerhouse producer.
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As most know there were numerous celebrities involved in the case including Gweneth Paltrow, Ashley Judd and Rose McGowan. To my surprised Paltrow is in the film as voice alone, but Judd appears on screen with them both obviously playing themselves. McGowan is not in the film, but her part in it is front and center with an actor taking on her voice in the conversations that helped to lead this.
This isn’t an exciting film in the since of big plot twists or action, but following their wins and losses in trying to get this story in place is engaging and important. There are moments that will just slam you in the face in its impact as it comes together including something as simple as publishing the actual article. The way it is done is edge of y our seat and it’s just watching a mouse across the computer screen to hit a button, but it just works.
There is nothing that could really fully smash the impact that this had on any of the victims lives, but I think it is a good film that honors not only what these two woman did, but the brave women that were willing to finally stand up to expose the truth.
In addition to the film this release offers up bonus content including a trailer and behind the scenes featurette. Break the story and grab your copy of She Said available now on digital, Blu-ray and DVD from Universal.
