Watch Bombshell
- R
- 2019
- 1 hr 48 min
-
6.8 (129,153)
Bombshell is a political drama film released in 2019 that tells a story that sends shockwaves through the entire media industry- it's explosive and impactful. The movie is based on the real events surrounding the powerful CEO of Fox News, Roger Ailes, who was accused of sexual harassment by multiple female employees. The movie is directed by Jay Roach and written by Charles Randolph. It features a star-studded cast of Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman, and Margot Robbie in lead roles.
Charlize Theron plays the role of Megyn Kelly, one of Fox News' top anchors who was vocal in her criticism of Donald Trump's campaign during the 2016 US Presidential election. She is portrayed as smart, confident and ambitious, who has built herself up as the intelligent, well-educated and sharp-tongued conservative news anchor who knows her worth.
Nicole Kidman takes the role of Gretchen Carlson, another high-profile anchor on the Fox News channel who, at the beginning of the movie, is unceremoniously fired from the organization. Gretchen Carlson is also portrayed as a highly competent anchor who has been in the field for over two decades.
Margot Robbie is introduced as Kayla Pospisil, a young producer who is working her way up the ladder at Fox News. She is shown as ambitious, idealistic, and ready to do whatever it takes to break into the mainstream media industry.
The movie is set in 2016 during the Republican primaries and then into the general election. The film's plot largely revolves around the accusations of sexual harassment made against the infamous Fox News founder and CEO, Roger Ailes. The movie does an excellent job of depicting the toxic environment that exists within the Fox News Channel, where women are seen as employees who are only as valuable as their attractiveness, who are groped, harassed and even abused.
The storyline is quite gripping and immediately has the audience's attention from the very beginning. The atmosphere created by the director adds to the intrigue and suspense of the plot. Charlize Theron's interpretation of Megyn Kelly is outstanding - she captures and conveys the complexity of Kelly's character and the impact of her career on her personal life. Nicole Kidmanâs portrayal of Gretchen Carlson is intense and chilling as she goes up against the Fox News establishment.
The movie is beautifully shot too, with some scenes that will leave audiences in awe of the cinematography. The sets and costumes have also been created to reflect the era in which the story is set, making the authenticity of the film more believable.
Overall, Bombshell is a powerful movie that tells a story that is both disturbing and thought-provoking. It presents the prevalence of disgusting behavior in the workplace and the courage it takes for victims to speak out in a highly public environment such as the media. The performances of the leading actresses are remarkable, detailing the depth and complexity of the characters they portray. Charlize Theron is explicit, articulate, and fearless, Nicole Kidman's Gretchen Carlson is angry, calculating, and vengeful, while Margot Robbie proves herself to play complex characters with emotional depth.
Though centered around Ailes, the story is not just about him but about the women who stood up against him too. It's also not just about one individual's experience but rather highlights the general toxicity of the business and encourages people to hold their leaders accountable for their actions. In short, Bombshell is a must-watch movie that illustrates the bravery and resilience of the human spirit, and the price of progress.
Bombshell is a 2019 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 48 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8 and a MetaScore of 64.