BOMBSHELL
US, 2019, 112 minutes, Colour.
Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman, Margot Robbie, John Lithgow, Malcolm Mc Dowell, Alison Janney, Kate Mac Kinnon, Connie Britton, Liv Hewson, Mark Duplass, Stephen Root, Robin Weigert.
Directed by Jay Roach.
Audiences in the United States, especially those of Fox News, found this story more of a bombshell than audiences in other parts of the world who are not familiar with Fox News and not familiar with its founder and developer, Roger Ailes. Now, with this film and with the television series, The Loudest Voice, and with the momentum of the Me# Too movement, Roger Ailes has become one of the most prominent celebrity figures with his downfall.
Jay Roach has directed a number of films about contemporary American public issues, regional (Florida and the 2000 presidential election controversy), Game Change (Sarah Palin for VP), Trumbo (blacklisting in the 1950s), and now dramatises this expose of Ailes, his sexual harassment of his female staff, episodes of sexual exploitation, threats of court proceedings, the appeal to the boss of Fox and Fox News, Rupert Murdoch, Murdoch's putting the pressure on Ailes and his resignation. This certainly set a precedent for exposure of other sexual predators, especially in the media world, further scandals, revelations, court proceedings.
The exposure of Roger Ailes was the work of a number of women working in Fox News, anchors, reporters, staffers. Two women are credited with bringing down Ailes. One is a high-profile anchor, favoured by Ailes, Megyn Kelly, played with authority (but with some doubting moments) by Charlize Theron. More directly, news anchor, Gretchen Carlson, gradually demoted, then fired, is the key to the continued campaign against Ailes, backed up by a number of women employed by Fox. She is played by Nicole Kidman who is able to combine fluffy on-air program hosting with a relentless and steely determination consulting with lawyers, recording conversations with Ailes, looking for backup from other women's testimonies.
There are a great number of women working at Fox News and audiences may find it difficult to keep a tab on who each of them is, her role, her experience of Ailes, her willingness or unwillingness to point blame. And, as might be expected in such a conglomerate business, there are many who rush to Ailes defence.
Some characters are created, based on actual persons. The most telling of these is Margot Robbie as Kayla, an evangelical millennial, as she calls herself, highly ambitious, putting herself in Ailes’ harm's way, ashamed, puzzled as what to do, admiring the women who expose him. Kate MacKinnon? has an interesting role as a crypto-Democrat, working at Fox News, a lesbian who befriends and supports Kayla.
Because Ailes is the target, eventually, and is a large, ungainly character (who says that some have called him Jabba the Hut), his sleazy behaviour being gradually dramatised, there are great demands made on the actor who portrays him. In this case, it is John Lithgow (Russell Crowe in the miniseries) who gives a convincing (and repelling) impersonation.
So, this is an important story from 2016, opening in July during the election debates in the US, quite a number of images of Donald Trump, whom Ailes initially disliked, reminding audiences of sexual harassment accusations against Trump. Towards the end, Rupert Murdoch and his sons are called in to confront Ailes and to make the final decisions. Audiences will find Malcolm Mc Dowellâ's portrait of Murdoch intriguing and his relationship with his sons.
The material itself is very dramatic although, the screenplay which is frequently quite incisive, does not build up the momentum of the drama in quite the climactic way that could be expected. In one sense, the drama stops, mission accomplished.
But, in real life, there are many, many such exposes in the offing. Harvey Weinstein, of course.
1. The title? Bombshell and explosive mess? Blonde bombshells?
2. US, 2016, the world of the media, Fox News? Election campaigns? Donald Trump? The musical score?
3. The issues of sexual harassment, sexual exploitation? The changing American consciousness of the time? Denunciations, settling out of court, men and their downfall? The beginnings of the Me Too movement?
4. The world of Fox News, Roger Ailes and his antagonism towards Trump, the change? Ailes in charge, long term, the Fox building, the many flaws, the rooms and offices and locations? The staff, the Conservative stances, the role of Rupert Murdoch and his sons, the Murdoch Empire, the nature of the programs, the nature of the news, interviews and comment?
5. Roger Ailes and his career, the establishing of Fox News, his success, a model for others, his offices, control? John Lithgow's impersonation? Power, manner? His wife and her continued support throughout the difficulties?
6. Megyn Kelly, Charlize Theron, a strong woman, her career with Fox, her status, preparing for the debate interviews, the illness? Yet her confidence? Her relationship with her husband, the children? Their life and lifestyle?
7. Gretchen Carlson, Nicole Kidman, Miss America, her job at Fox, as an anchor, her on his style, her programs, her assistance? Are being demoted, eventually fired? Her vigorous response, going to see her lawyers, the discussions, wanting some vengeance? Wanting support from other members of the staff? Recording her interviews with Ailes and the consequences? Her family, her defiance, the passing encounters with Megyn Kelly?
8. Kayla, an evangelical millennial, a fictitious figure based on real characters? Arrival, ambitions, supporting the Fox perspective, supporting the company, her work, Gretchen Carlson, her wanting promotions, going alone? Working with Jess's car, befriending her, the sexual relationship, the discussions? Just continuing to support Kayla? The issue of lesbianism and the Fox News ethos? The photo on the desk? Kayla going to see Ailes, his office, his behaviour towards her, the lifting her skirt and welding? Her reaction? Yet her returning?
9. The other members of the staff, Lily, Julia, their observing, comments, their own experience?
10. Roger Ailes, his behaviour with the women, gradually revealed? The evidence? The information surfacing? The reality, the effect on him, his denials, strong discussions with his lawyers, his wife’s support, the meetings, the deal, erections records?
11. Megyn Kelly, the gradual revelation is? Gretchen Carlson and her revelations?
12. Collaboration from other members of the staff, support? The campaign in defence of Roger Ailes? The man Ailes hired and his not being able to believe the accusations?
13. The media, the reporting, sensationalist, the background of Trump, accusations of sexual harassment?
14. Rupert Murdoch, Malcolm Mc Dowell's interpretation? Power, the presentation of his sons and their work, the dislike of Ailes? The portrait of Murdoch? The meeting with Ailes, the deal, ousting him?
15. The repercussions for Roger Ailes, the mighty falling, such a downfall?
16. This film for women and issues of sexual harassment, especially in the media? Are beginning of further accusations? The Harvey Weinstein issues? Me# Too?
